Alright, landlords, let's have a heart-to-heart about tenant screening and selection…

You've got a rental property to protect and an investment to nurture, so let's dive into how to review and update your tenant screening criteria, conduct thorough background and reference checks, and ultimately select the best-qualified tenant for your property. And guess what? I’ve got the perfect Tenant Screening Guide as a freebie download to make this process a breeze - snag it here.

First things first, your tenant screening criteria need to be sharp. You want to ensure you're setting yourself up for success by having clear, updated criteria that help you identify the best tenants while staying within legal boundaries… right? RIGHT!

The traditional method was to request proof of annual income and compare it to the rental rate. The rental rate should (in theory) be no more than 35% of their total annual income. This ensures they can comfortably afford to live in your property without too much financial strain. Call their employer to confirm they earn what they say they do or ask for a letter of employment. Credit score and history are also important but be willing to consider explanations for past credit issues - more on that a little later.

Rental history and Landlord references are like the beef patty in a burger - absolutely crucial.

I’ll admit, after showing hundreds, maybe even thousands of properties as a Rental Property Manager, you get pretty good a reading people - but please do NOT skip the step of actually calling their current and past Landlords, even though they seem to be great on paper and charming AF in person.

The basics of a solid rental history are: no evictions, a history of timely payments, and positive feedback from previous landlords are a good start. Another question I like to ask is what condition the property was left in after they vacated and if they would rent to them again in the future.

As someone who personally received calls from potential new Landlords about shaky tenants, I’ll say that although I never divulged private information or specifics on crappy tenants, I did often say “I can’t comment on that” when appropriate and they got the hint.

Finally, check them out on social media. Yes, be that detective you’ve always dreamed of becoming and get your creeper hat on just for a few minutes. Do they have a Facebook or Instagram account to see what their highlight reel looks like? LinkedIn to confirm employment details? You can tell a lot about someone from their social channels so don’t be afraid to dig here.

Hopefully you’ve received multiple applications for tenancy on your property, now comes the fun part—choosing your tenant. With all this data at your fingertips, you're in a prime position to make an informed decision. Stack your applicants against your criteria and see who comes out on top. This isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about finding the right fit for your property as you will have to deal with them for months, potentially years to come and there has to be some sort of kinship to this Landlord/Tenant relationship.

Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is.

I can’t stress this enough. After the initial showing, having a secondary virtual interview can give you a better sense of who your potential tenant is. Make your decision, but ensure you verify all information before signing any lease. Double-check references, re-confirm employment, and make sure everything aligns.

Always follow fair Residential Tenancy Act laws and regulations. Discrimination is not only unethical but also illegal. Treat every applicant with the same level of scrutiny and respect. And if you need a step-by-step guide to keep you on track, download my free Tenant Screening Guide!

Tenant screening and selection isn't just a step in the process—it's the foundation of a successful landlord-tenant relationship. By meticulously reviewing and updating your criteria, conducting thorough reference checks, and carefully selecting the best-qualified tenant, you're setting yourself up for smooth sailing. Remember, the goal is to find tenants who will respect your property, pay their rent on time, and stay for the long haul.

Ready to streamline your tenant screening process? Download my free Tenant Screening Guide and find that dream tenant. You've got this!

As always thanks for being here and following along, be sure to read tenant tales and horror stories from when tenant screening didn’t go as original planned over at @DiariesofaPM

• J.B. - Retired Property Manager & Teller of Tenant Tales and Landlord Resources