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

In Shenandoah, our management staff likes to deal with reliable renters. Here are a few of the traits we look for.

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

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