Dorota Dyman Associates Tips: 5 Ways You Should Be Screening Potential Landlords

The real estate rental market is fast paced, competitive and sometimes daunting. During the stress of finding a rental that fits your needs, you sometimes run into yet another brick wall: the landlord. Some landlords can be nosey people. Every corner your turn at an apartment viewing they’re racking off another list of things they need before you’re approved. But before you slip your social, you might want to do some research of your own. Here are five ways to screen your landlord or property manager before you sign a lease.

1. Find Foreclosures

According to the Wall Street Journal, it’s an entirely possible that your dream apartment is in the foreclosure process. Meaning, a landlord could try to rent an apartment he or she doesn’t even own. You could lose your deposit, and worse, your home.

Look into tax records and find out who actually owns the rental. Additionally, if you’re dealing with a property management company, research any recent foreclosures for their properties. If the company is underwater or filing for bankruptcy, your lease terms might be shorter than you think.

2. Check Criminal Records

It’s important to know your landlord’s prior convictions. From fraud to assault, your potential property manager could have a horrifying history.

If a criminal record can disqualify a potential tenant, then why not a landlord? eHow.com has several tips on ways to search for criminal records.

3. Consider Complaints

Yahoo.com suggests investigating potential complaints through the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, “check websites such as Yelp for complaints about the landlord. You can also check with your city or county Chamber of Commerce to see if they register complaints or have knowledge of any other local agencies that would keep such information.”

You could find a laundry list of tenants who mysteriously never received their deposit or never got the features promised in their lease.

Read full article at Forbes