When screening tenants, I have some "deal-breaker..auto disqualify" like... past evictions, felony in last 3 years.

But wondering...just for fun... If you could pick 2......and ONLY 2...things to CHOOSE a likely good tenant in a Class C or Class B single family home....what would they be?

HAVE CHECKING ACCT?

CREDIT SCORE

REFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS LANDLORD

TIME AT CURRENT RESIDENCE

TIME ON JOB

INCOME RELATIVE TO RENT AMOUNT

CURRENT HOME INSPECTION

OTHER

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If you could only have 2...What would be your 2?

If they start breathing and talking, they are out, LOL. Plenty will get that one.

Practically impossible to only use 2 qualifiers in todays world.

I agree, Ken. I find that time on job is a huge indicator or "reliability" and that their life is not in complete chaos.

Interesting thoughts.

If pressed I would say income and background check (evictions, crimes, etc.)

If I could only pick 2 credit and current home inspection.

I want tenants that pay rent on time, don't trash the place, and are reasonable to work with.

Seems like time at current residence would be a good indicator of the first two criteria, as well as sufficient income. Time on job would be good indicator of life skills. Those two would get me 90% there.

Two from your list;

INCOME RELATIVE TO RENT AMOUNT

It’s easy for me as it’s mostly what I do.

Credit Score (fico)

Job Stability

Income and background check.

I get lots of first time renters, people moving from other areas for new jobs, etc.

So criminal and credit history (not score) is incredibly important to me. As well as income as I get a lot of people who want to move first, get job once they are here. Nope on that. I *will* however accept a job offer letter, because we get a lot of talented people who get job offers here and then struggle to find housing. I'd usually rather a person be from "away" than a local.

I have had at least one person from PA.

1. Previous Evictions and/or Judgements owing landlords, other Collection history (dealbreaker, unless they've paid the judgements).

INCOME RELATIVE TO RENT AMOUNT

CURRENT HOME INSPECTION

TIme on job would be a close third.

My husband is 80 and he doesn't have a credit score. We have to use mine to ever set up an account (as in gas when we installed a whole house generator). We don't owe anybody any money.

It's embarrassing when he goes to open an account at Home Depot or anything though. I have to do it and funny thing, I had a hard time getting a Belks card back in the 80's, go figure?

If you have a great credit score you have mastered the art of paying forever.

I should emphasize that although I’ve never had an issue with someone with a 700+ score I still review the rest of the report. The score is the last thing on my report but it lets me know the cliff notes version.

No score doesn’t always tell you something but a bad score always does. I’ve never had anyone without a score

I should emphasize that although I’ve never had an issue with someone with a 700+ score I still review the rest of the report. The score is the last thing on my report but it lets me know the cliff notes version.

No score doesn’t always tell you something but a bad score always does. I’ve never had anyone without a score

Proof of adequate income (verified) and current home inspection. Have never pulled a credit report. Last two tenants I placed, I didn't do the home inspection, but both had close connections to people in the area known to me. And oe was moving out of a strange ( potentially abusive) domestic situation, and I knew we needed to keep it on the down-low. Both of those two rentals are going well. ( as are the others that did have the 2- minute in-home visit.)

With only four houses, and tenants who stay long time, I am just too lazy/ cheap to set up for the credit check. If i was making a significant portion of my household's living from rentals, and thus would have many more rentals I would do. But, currently, no door on my basement 'home office', thus no lock, and file cabinet was a freebie from Craigslist, no keys.

WMH, I see that you have met Ray-N-Pa in person then.

Ha ha, just kidding!