Landlord Newsletter November 13, 2012

I hope you enjoy my tenant screening article, How to Screen Tenants in 5 Easy Steps. Please remember my old saying: "Better NO tenant than a BAD tenant!"

In this newsletter:

• How to Screen Tenants in 5 Easy Steps
  
• Free Landlord Form
  
• Ask the Attorney, Real Estate Attorney, John Reno
  
• Quotes for Success
  

Please e-mail us if you have any questions or would like to add or share any material / information. Have a great month and an even more successful year ahead.
John Nuzzolese
John@theLPA.com

I always say that "95% of your tenant problems can be eliminated in the screening process." If you're like me, you probably find it difficult to relax when you have vacancies. So getting it rented is the main idea, right? Well, from now on, lets say "getting it rented to a properly qualified tenant is the main idea."

Below is what I call The 5 Steps of Screening Tenants.

STEP 1: First Contact

From the very first contact with the tenant, the screening process has begun. Whether you are the landlord, real estate agent or property manager, the same still holds true.

First Contact is usually by telephone*, so you need to ask the right qualifying questions in order to decide if you should proceed to step 2. Advise customers of your up front rent and security deposit requirements and other important facts regarding the rental that may help disqualify the prospect.

I suggest you make a list or prospect card of questions to ask and have it handy while you conduct your first contact interview. For example:

* First contact can also be through an internet ad by email. This is becoming a more popular method of rental advertising and I have found huge savings in rental advertising money. Here is a link to my Pre-screening Tenant Prospect Card for internet ads, such as Craigslist or LPA Rental Ads, etc. Pre-screening Tenant Prospect Card

Please note that anyone who has a problem answering your questions (as long as you ask them politely), probably will not qualify for your rental. Serious customers want to make a good impression on you and should be happy to answer your questions. This process can save you and customers a lot of time and trouble.

STEP 2: Showing the Property

From landlords to real estate agents, we all have our own style in showing the rental. I think we all need to be aware of certain telltale signs to watch for while evaluating your prospective new tenants.

1. Appearance. Is the prospect neat and clean? Did he or she make an attempt to make a good impression? In most cases, an unkempt person keeps an unkempt lifestyle and home.

This is one of the popular Rental Binders used by many Realtors. Similar versions of this form are used by landlords and real estate agents across the US. Many people actually use it as a basic rental agreement! It's not really meant to be a rental agreement or rental application, but is a pre-contract form used as a binder receipt to show an offer has been made with an earnest money deposit. Upon written acceptance of the offer by the owner/agent of the rental, it becomes a binder, whereby it is agreed that the rental will not be rented to anyone else before the agreed lease signing date. When not using the LPA Rental Application, this form is especially helpful to rental agents who collect their real estate commission from the tenant because it provides for a written agreement of the rental commission.

Download the Rental Binder Agreement

The Landlord Protection Agency® presents John Reno, Esq., a highly experienced Landlord - Tenant attorney based on Long Island, NY.

John Reno also does Mortgage Loan Modifications (Nationwide).
(Mention The LPA for a 10% discount!)

Dear Mr. Reno:
I have an business LLC that is the Landlord. Tenants write rent checks to the LLC, and sign rental agreements with the LLC. i am the organizing member of the LLC and also the owner of the rental property.
Question: Can I evict tenants as the owner, or must I hire an attorney to represent the LLC. I am in PA.
Thanks,
Jon in PA

A: That varies court to court, judge to judge. Last week an eviction judge in a court I was in said he'd allow it because the guy was the sole owner- but that's just him. You need to venture to your local courthouse & ask the clerk.

If you have a landlord tenant problem you'd like to ask a question about, please feel free to e-mail me your question.
Submit a landlord / tenant question for Mr. Reno
Please try to keep your questions as short and to the point as possible.

Have you ever been beaten by a tenant on the rent?
Most of us have and unfortunately, it is one of the costs of doing business as a landlord.
On the bright side, remedies are available. If you have documented your tenancy with the proper paperwork including a rental application, lease agreement, late notices, etc., you may have a chance of collecting.

Credit bureau reporting is an option in which many modern landlords are beginning to participate....

Click here for the full article

"Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke." - Will Rogers

"When you need advice- do you seek someone who has proven success or do you get advice from people who have never achieved what you desire?" - Robert G. Allen

"How much did your last tenant problem cost you?" - John Nuzzolese

How to Check your LPA Membership Expiration Date:

1. Be logged in with your LPA username & password
   
2. On the "Main Menu" (top right), click on "Your Orders" (right below your name)
   
3. The beginning date of your membership will be listed to the left of your membership order # in this format: YYYYMMDD
   

If you haven't already, please take the opportunity to sign up for The LPA's Quick Check Credit Reports! Quick Check is a simple, fast way to access online credit reports while saving you money!

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