Header bg
  • section background

    How to Choose a Good Tenant

    Hero bg 2
    how to find good tenants

    Looking for some advice on how to find a good tenant? Read our article for some tips and tricks to ensure you find a good match.

    If you’re a landlord, you know that one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who to rent to. The right tenant can make your life a lot easier, while the wrong tenant can cause all sorts of headaches. So how can you tell if someone will be a good fit for your rental property? In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how to find good tenants.

    Get a quote in less than a minute

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Get a free quote

    4.7 rating

    Google Logo

    Start by Creating a List of Must-Haves and Nice-To-Haves for Your Tenant

    Once property managers have posted a rental listing, it’s a good idea to create a tenant screening process with an initial list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. Your must-haves should include things like creditworthiness, rental history, and references; these are essential for property managers to determine the best tenant. Nice-to-haves might include preferred hobbies or interests that align with yours as a landlord, or other lifestyle preferences. Knowing what qualities you prioritize can help narrow down choices quickly and efficiently. And remember — your tenant’s approach to cleanliness and order really matters! Making this kind of list in advance will ensure you have a great candidate from the start.

    Screen Each Applicant Thoroughly, Including Running a Credit Check and Background Check

    Finding quality tenants is an important step in ensuring that your rental management endeavours go smoothly. That’s why it’s important to make sure each applicant goes through a thorough screening process, including running a credit check and background check. This helps ensure that you’ll have reliable, trustworthy people to have living in your rental property.

    Get comprehensive tenant insurance for what matters

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase in less than a minute, receive your policy instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Create a Detailed Lease Agreement

    Once you’ve found the ideal renter, it’s important to create a detailed lease agreement. Having a detailed lease agreement is essential for landlords in order to protect themselves from potential legal issues that could arise during the duration of an occupant’s tenancy. Well-crafted and comprehensive rental agreements help ensure that both parties understand their rights and obligations, clarifying shared expectations and mitigating misunderstandings. A good lease should include details on rent, security deposits, rules and regulations, occupancy terms, pet policies, maintenance responsibility, and more. It’s important to ensure that all the information in the agreement is accurate and up-to-date so that everyone is on the same page at all times.

    Related Read: Who Is Responsible for Snow Removal at a Rental Property?

    Check References From Previous Landlords and Employers

    Screening potential tenants is an important step in the rental process, and one of the best ways to ensure a great tenant-landlord relationship is by checking references from previous landlords or employers. This can help landlords get a better understanding of the applicant’s past behaviour when it comes to making sure they’ll pay rent on time and adhere to rules and regulations. It also gives them insight into how well they take care of property, as well as their overall character. Additionally, speaking with references can give landlords peace of mind knowing that they are taking all necessary steps before signing off on any rental agreement. With this information at hand, it’s much easier for landlords to make an informed decision about who should be living in their property.Verifying references is an important step in the rental screening process. You should take the time to call previous landlords and employers to confirm that your prospective tenant has paid rent on time, followed the rules of their prior lease agreements, and maintained steady employment. This helps provide a more complete picture of your potential renter’s background.

    Related Read: How Much Should I Be Spending on Rent?

    Get a quote in less than a minute

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Have a Face-To-Face Meeting With Each Rental Applicant to Get To Know Them Better

    As a landlord, meeting potential tenants face-to-face can be an invaluable part of the rental process. Not only does it provide landlords with an opportunity to get to know their applicants on a more personal level, but it can also help them make informed decisions about who they want living in their property. By speaking with prospective tenants in person and getting a better understanding of how they will treat the space and its amenities, landlords can trust that their investment is being protected by someone who is responsible and respectful. Plus, having honest conversations during this initial meeting helps set the tone for the tenant-landlord relationship going forward.

    Make Sure Your Rental Applicant Has Tenant Insurance

    Another key component of choosing a good tenant is making sure they’ve purchased tenant insurance. This type of insurance covers plenty of important things, such as the cost of repairs due to damage caused by the tenant, and as liability for any accidents that happen on the property. While it may seem like an extra expense, having this kind of protection in place can be a lifesaver if something unexpected happens. Plus, it gives landlords peace of mind knowing that their property is covered in case of any unforeseen circumstances. It’s also important to make sure tenants have the right type and amount of coverage for their situation — so be sure to double-check this before signing a lease!

    Related Read: 5 Tenant’s Insurance Claims Every Renter Should Know

    APOLLO Insurance is here to help, with simple solutions to keep your tenants belongings insured and give them peace of mind. Our effortless platform allows you to get a quote in less than a minute and sends your policy documents straight to your inbox.

    Get comprehensive tenant insurance for what matters

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase in less than a minute, receive your policy instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Originally published February 7, 2023, updated September 5, 2023

    Back to APOLLO Magazine
    Share this article

    Get a quote in less than a minute

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Get a quote in less than a minute

    Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

    Relevant articles

    section background
    section background

    Getting insured is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

    Tell us (very little) about yourself
    1

    Tell us (very little) about yourself

    Just tell us your address, your name, email and phone number. And that's it. We'll give you a price in less than a minute.

    Pay online easily and securely
    2

    Pay online easily and securely

    You can choose to pay monthly or save money by paying for the entire year in one easy payment.

    Get your documents in your inbox - instantly
    3

    Get your documents in your inbox - instantly

    As soon as you complete your purchase, you'll find your proof of insurance and policy documents waiting for you in your inbox.

    Get covered today - it couldn’t be easier

    We’ve provided more than 1,000,000 quotes to Canadians just like you. Give it a try!

    Google Logo

    Reviews

    4.7 rating

    2,263 reviews

    view all

    Across Canada

    Contact Us
    Apollo logo

    © 2024 APOLLO Insurance Solutions Ltd.

    111 Water Street, Unit 210, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 1A7

    APOLLO Insurance Agency Ltd. (o/a APOLLO Brokerage in the province of Ontario only) is a licensed retail brokerage, offering our clients with a comprehensive set of insurance solutions to meet their individual needs. APOLLO Insurance Agency Ltd. maintains necessary corporate licensing in provinces across Canada. Availability of products and service depends on licensing and product availability. The information that appears on this page is provided for information purposes only. Advertised products and prices are not guaranteed and vary based on insurance provider and/or insurance company's discretion and product availability.

    Transparency and Disclosure: APOLLO Insurance Agency's role is to provide you with exceptional service and the best insurance products that suit your needs. As a licensed retail brokerage, our compensation is based on a commission basis already built into your insurance premium and varies based on the product purchased through our platform. For a description of how APOLLO Insurance Agency is compensated and how this is calculated, please refer to our Compensation Disclosure document. For consumers in Ontario, please review the RIBO Conduct Fact Sheet and the RIBO Conduct Guidance document.