How to check a tenant to rent out a property without problems

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Use government services, social media and just talk to a potential tenant.

In Russia, the development of the rental housing market is not at the highest level. If you ask a tenant to fill out a detailed questionnaire, provide documents proving creditworthiness, he will most likely think that you are strange and just leave.

You are unlikely to be able to make sure 100% of the conscientiousness and adequacy of the tenant. Whether he will pay on time depends not only on whether he has money, but also on whether he wants to do it. Not all tenants are good citizens.

But some information can still be found out in order to remove some of the suspicions. Pay attention to this.

1. Passport validity

It is appropriate to ask for documents already at the first meeting - not only the tenant chooses the apartment, but also you are the tenant. Write down the series and number of the passport to check the validity of the document through the special police.

If the document is listed as stolen or lost, this is a reason to be on your guard.

2. Availability of debts

At the Federal Bailiff Service, you can find out if a person has debts over which cases of enforcement proceedings have been initiated. Of course, not all debts are included in the register - only those that have reached the court. But you will calculate the hard-core defaulter for sure.

To use the service, it is enough to know the first and last name, but the date of birth and patronymic will greatly facilitate the search. Look for debts by the region where you are located and where the potential tenant is registered (do not forget to look at this data in your passport).

3. Existence and fate of business

Check with the tax office if the applicant for housing was a business founder or an individual entrepreneur. Find out what the fate of this business is. Maybe it closed due to bankruptcy or by court order.

By itself, this does not mean anything. Business also collapses for responsible and decent people. So this information is best taken into account in conjunction with the rest of the data.

4. Participation in legal proceedings

You can find out the information you need on the website of the state automated system "". Although civil claims, with rare exceptions, are filed at the place of registration of the defendant, look not only in the region where the potential landlord is registered. Perhaps he is an experienced litigator and constantly sues, for example, with landlords. But criminal cases are considered at the scene of the crime.

In addition, there is a good base "". It is also worth using.

5. Information about bankruptcy

Check the bankruptcy record for the tenant. Use advanced search to make it easier.

6. Wanted

The Ministry of Internal Affairs also has one, and it would be strange not to use it.

7. Mention in the blacklist of tenants

Here you will first have to search the Internet for the list itself. In each region, there may be several of them at different sites. Don't be lazy: check out the main ones.

8. Willingness to sign an agreement and make a deposit

The contract defines the rights and responsibilities of both parties, so that it protects both you and the tenant. If the future tenant carefully reads the document, offers to carry additional information - this is a good sign.

With a deposit, everything is somewhat more complicated. Usually the tenant will give the landlord an amount equal to the monthly payment. The owner of the property will spend this money if the tenant spoils something or leaves without paying. If all is well, the money will be returned upon departure.

But among the apartment owners there are also many dishonest people who do not give money. Therefore, the tenant's doubts are understandable. Write down the conditions for the return of the deposit in the agreement with the smallest details, so that both of you, in which case, have leverage according to the law.

9. Social media content

Sometimes a person's tape says more about his adequacy than a certificate from a psychiatrist. Pay attention to who and how he communicates, what information he posts, what tone he uses for his messages. You will understand whether you are ready to interact with such a person in principle.

There you can also find out how a person relates to property. For example, if he posts a photo of wallpaper painted by a child in a rented apartment with a caption like: "We'll have to close the chair so that the owner doesn't see," it's better not to deal with him.

10. Information that a person provides about himself

The Internet provides many opportunities, but does not replace live communication. Ask different questions and see how the person answers them: whether he gets confused, changes versions. Of course, this will not insure you against inadequacy for 100%, but it will give you some understanding of who you are dealing with.

Ask about a job to assess your ability to pay. If everything is in order, the person will answer honestly and without hesitation. Find out who he will live with (and include this in the contract so that the housing does not turn into a hostel). Where did he live before and why is he moving? Can you provide a recommendation from a previous landlord? Feel free to ask questions and answer them too.

Renting out an apartment is a business. But it is much easier to lead it if you leave a place of humanity in it.