It’s the late 1930’s. The world around you is filtered to a lighting scheme reminiscent of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. And like Polly Perkins you are looking for your story, looking for the right place to be, the right people to contact, the right questions to ask…
Or not. It is in fact 2016 and that movie came out twelve years ago. You’re not looking for renowned scientists who have disappeared, you’re looking for a prospective tenant. You don’t need to travel across the globe to find what you’re looking for, you have all the resources you need right in your office. But the right people to contact, the right questions to ask, this is where your quest aligns with that of the persistent journalist.
I’m serious about being persistent. When the applications for tenancy are rolling in and you see the results of the background checks, that doesn’t mean your job is done. Keep going. Along with a resident screening, it’s important to find the information that data and records can’t give you - who are these people as people? This is information only other real-life people can give you.
Call their previous landlord. Call their references. If they ask for proof that you have permission to contact them, take a picture of the application and send it to them. Then ask questions like-
Do they pay on time?
Do they have any outstanding balance?
Do they own pets?
Do they smoke?
Did they give sufficient notice before moving?
Is there any property damage?
Are there any problems or complaints on file?
Would you rent to them again?
Don’t let those references go to waste. You won’t get the whole story without doing a bit of digging. One landlord once told me, “Thirty minutes of effort can give you a peaceful year.” A peaceful year is the end to the type of story I like to hear.
