The form/checklist this month was submitted by a regular website visitor to the mrlandlord.com Question & Answer Forum. This 21 point checklist (scoring system) is used to help determine if rental applicants are qualified.

SELECTION CRITERIA / 21 POINT SCORING SYSTEM

1. _____ON TIME FOR APPOINTMENT

2. _____BROUGHT NECESSARY ITEMS: Identification, application information, references, application fee, holding deposit...

3. _____FILLED OUT APPLICATION COMPLETELY AND TRUTHFULLY

4. _____ABLE TO VERIFY ALL OF THE NECESSARY INFORMATION

5. _____ABLE TO PAY FULL AMOUNT OF RENT AND DEPOSIT

6. _____SUFFICIENT MONTHLY INCOME OF 3 TIMES THE RENTAL AMOUNT

7. _____VERIFIABLE INCOME OR EMPLOYMENT

8. _____STABLE INCOME OR EMPLOYMENT FOR A MINIMUM OF _____ MONTHS

9. _____FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OF NO MORE THAN _____% OF INCOME

10. _____SATISFACTORY CREDIT HISTORY (NO BANKRUPTCY)

11. _____PROVIDED CREDIT REFERENCES

12. _____AT CURRENT ADDRESS FOR A MINIMUM OF ______MONTHS

13. _____GAVE PROPER NOTICE TO CURRENT LANDLORD

14. _____GAVE PROPER NOTICE TO PREVIOUS LANDLORD

15. _____NO PRIOR EVICTIONS

16. _____NO PROBLEMS WITH PREVIOUS LANDLORDS

17. _____DEPOSIT FULLY RETURNED (NONE WITHHELD FOR DAMAGES)

18. _____NO COMPLAINTS OR POLICE REPORTS REGARDING DISTURBING THE PEACE, ETC.

19. _____NO SIGNIFICANT VIOLATIONS OF A PREVIOUS RENTAL AGREEMENT

20. _____NO PETS OR IS WILLING TO SIGN A PET AGREEMENT AND MEETS ADDITIONAL PET CRITERIA

21. _____NON-SMOKERS:

NUMBER OF POSITIVE (YES) RESPONSES TO ABOVE CRITERIA SELECTION ________

ABOVE INFORMATION VERIFIED BY: ________________________________
DATE:____________________________

ACTION TAKEN: ACCEPTED ________ DECLINED _________

The above criteria is what I check when determining if a prospective resident is qualified to rent. You can modify this list to your liking. I screen callers over the phone. I have a written information sheet so I tell everyone the same thing. After I read it to them I ask them if they have any questions. I give them a description of the rental available and what my requirements are, what I accept and don't accept. I tell them (the list) of criteria I will be checking for, how much the credit check is and how much $$ they need to move in. I will not give the address out unless I have a phone number, name (verified - usually they have left a message on the machine) and appointment made to show property. I've been a Landlord for only 4 years and have not had any serious problems to date. I've only had one couple habitually late on the rent and they are living somewhere else now. Hope this list will help you.
Karen Gee

Editor's note. Thanks Karen for sharing your form and for helping us help other rental owners. A note to website visitors; when using a selection criteria or scoring system similar to the above, you may want to set a "minimum" number of positive responses to consider an applicant as qualified. In addition, be sure all positive responses has been verified and always run a credit report on all applicants. Click here if you need assistance with obtaining a credit report for a rental applicant.

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