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

In Rappahannock County, our team wants to deal with good renters. Here are a few of the traits we look for.

1. A good renter 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 desirable renter has integrity. A trustworthy renter does not sneak in a co-tenant or pet.
3. A trustworthy renter is reasonably clean. A reliable renter does not bring pests like rodents and bugs.
4. A good tenant does not break the property.
5. A desirable tenant is courteous and nice to get along with. A trustworthy tenant understands the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
6. A trustworthy tenant doesn't disturb neighbors.
7. A great renter complains when appropriate. Renters that don't report maintenance issues cost property owners money and cause head-aches for property managers.
8. An ideal tenant doesn't gripe when it's not appropriate. This means that a trustworthy renter doesn't ask to upgrade functioning systems. A great renter doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A great renter doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the tenant doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
9. A great renter does not smoke in the home.
10. A desirable tenant is looking for a rental term that is as long as the real estate investor wants to rent the property.

So this is what we're looking for in a renter, but how do we find tenants 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 bad renters.