Dear Fellow Landlord,

How many times have you been to eviction court? Some landlords I know practically live in eviction court. Why? They seem to be very good landlords, have nice properties, spend money on improvements, but something is missing! What is missing???

In this newsletter:

• How to Screen Tenants in 5 Easy Steps
  
• FREE ENCORE WEBINAR Tonight *PM Est. Paul Brazie - Mobile Home Schooled!
  
• FREE Account Status Notification
  

Please e-mail us if you have any questions or would like to add or share any material / information. I hope to see you soon!
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.

Paul Brazie has something exciting to share with us!

I think you'll find this fun and interesting! More importantly, you now have another way to make money!

The Account Status Notification helps keep your collection efforts organized while you try to bring your struggling tenant accounts back in good standing.

We should never let a tenant get behind in the rent or other charges, right? We are professional landlords and we know better than to let this happen, right? Why then does it still happen anyway?

Using the LPA Urgent Late Notice as a model, I was able to tailor this form to suit my purposes to achieve the results I wanted.

The Account Status Notification easily updates the tenant of their account status, reminds them of any past due balances such as unpaid late fees, attorney fees, etc. and alerts them if legal action is pending.

The form helps to avoid misunderstandings with tenants about what is owed and when it is due.

FREE DOWNLOAD Account Status Notification Account Status Notification - Completed Sample

If you haven't already, please take the opportunity to get your LPA Member Discount on all Quick Check Credit Reports! Quick Check is a fast, easy way to access online credit reports!

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