Vetting Tenants — How we protect the landlord’s interests.

In Fairfax, Nesbitt Realty likes to deal with good tenants. Here are a few of the traits we look for.

1. A desirable renter pays the rent when due every month. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
2. A great tenant is honest. A good tenant does not sneak in a co-tenant or pet.
3. A great renter is fastidious. An ideal tenant does not bring pests such as rodents and bugs.
4. A reliable renter does not break the property.
5. An ideal tenant is courteous and nice to get along with. A good tenant understands the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
6. A great tenant doesn't annoy neighbors.
7. A great tenant reports problems at appropriate times. Renters that don't report maintenance issues cost property owners money and cause head-aches for property managers.
8. A reliable tenant doesn't complain when it's not appropriate. This means that a good tenant doesn't demand to replace functioning systems. A great renter doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A reliable renter doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the tenant doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
9. A desirable tenant does not smoke in the rental.
10. A great renter is looking for a rental term that is as long as the real estate investor wants to rent the rental.

So this is what we're looking for in a renter, but how do we find renters who live up to this ideal? Experience has taught us that bad tenants can appear as polite, nicely-dress, well educated people with good jobs. We have a nose for sniffing out bad tenants.