I'm curious, what do PM's actually ask when checking tenants past renting history, and what do self managers ask.
What is the protocol, I believe it has to be a formal request in writing/email. An agent's email is usually obvious, but how does a self manager prove who they are and be taken seriously. An owner can be confirmed by checks, but how to confirm the person requesting info is the owner - unless the email is their actual name (which is not a 100% proof) or the reply is snail mailed to the owner?
My PM when negotiating with last tenant over bond issues said if they could come to an acceptable agreement he would give tenant a reasonable reference if asked. What the "bleep"! They were not bad, but weren't good either. I would not give them a good reference, but happy to give them an accurate/factual one and let future PM's form their own opinion. So, by my PM telling me what he said to ex tenant it got me wondering how accurate the references are that are given by others ....and possibly my next tenant! The only time I can see that a PM may want to BS about a tenant is if there is the risk (or situation) where tenant may not move out at end of lease or trying to evict a tenant during lease. Otherwise, why BS?
What do PM'S and self managers ask?
After thinking about it this is what I would want to know:
I am a bit sus if someone says "I was renting a friends granny flat/or flat downstairs, therefore no reference from other than friend. Been caught out on that one with first tenants - a real smart ***, think they were on Centrelink, never worked (I can't remember what BS was said about employment). Same with a tenant who had no rental history as he had been renting with a mate, not on the lease, had OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and therefore would be spotless in the house. Yeah right, tick that one off not to fall for again. My best tenants from what neighbours told me was a Kiwi couple who had just moved to Oz, no jobs as yet but good potential, he a carpenter, her office admin. References checked out good from past employer, I was going to ask for 3 months rent in advance, they offered 4 before I could suggest - took 3 off them.
What is the protocol, I believe it has to be a formal request in writing/email. An agent's email is usually obvious, but how does a self manager prove who they are and be taken seriously. An owner can be confirmed by checks, but how to confirm the person requesting info is the owner - unless the email is their actual name (which is not a 100% proof) or the reply is snail mailed to the owner?
My PM when negotiating with last tenant over bond issues said if they could come to an acceptable agreement he would give tenant a reasonable reference if asked. What the "bleep"! They were not bad, but weren't good either. I would not give them a good reference, but happy to give them an accurate/factual one and let future PM's form their own opinion. So, by my PM telling me what he said to ex tenant it got me wondering how accurate the references are that are given by others ....and possibly my next tenant! The only time I can see that a PM may want to BS about a tenant is if there is the risk (or situation) where tenant may not move out at end of lease or trying to evict a tenant during lease. Otherwise, why BS?
What do PM'S and self managers ask?
After thinking about it this is what I would want to know:
- How long did the person/s rent through your agency/off you.
- Was anyone else living/sharing the property - to get a picture of situation, no other names needed.
- What type of property? (if an apartment, would they be as good in a house - grounds maintenance etc!)
- Was there any notice to remedy a breach given? What for? How many times? How recent?
- Any other issues that you had with them?
- Would you rent to them again without hesitation?
I am a bit sus if someone says "I was renting a friends granny flat/or flat downstairs, therefore no reference from other than friend. Been caught out on that one with first tenants - a real smart ***, think they were on Centrelink, never worked (I can't remember what BS was said about employment). Same with a tenant who had no rental history as he had been renting with a mate, not on the lease, had OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and therefore would be spotless in the house. Yeah right, tick that one off not to fall for again. My best tenants from what neighbours told me was a Kiwi couple who had just moved to Oz, no jobs as yet but good potential, he a carpenter, her office admin. References checked out good from past employer, I was going to ask for 3 months rent in advance, they offered 4 before I could suggest - took 3 off them.