Questions You Can and Can't Ask Potential Tenants

If you are a landlord (or are thinking of becoming one), the truth is that one of the hardest parts of your job is finding the right tenants. You are going to want to find people who pay their bills and not cause any problems. It is even better if you find tenants that all seem to get along.

You may start by asking potential tenants some questions. However, it is important that you do this carefully. There are some questions that you just can't ask, as well as some that you definitely should ask!

Here are some questions that you should ask.

When do you want to move? You have every right to find out when someone is ready to move in. If they aren't ready to move in, you aren't going to want to keep your apartment empty for a few months until they are ready. If they aren't quite ready, they may want to be put on your list to contact when a unit becomes available.

Do you have some money saved up for rent and the security deposit? You are going to want to make sure that your tenants have the money that they need, before they sign the paperwork.

Why are you moving? This question can be very helpful. Are the tenants looking for their first apartment as an adult? Did they get a new job, and they are looking for less of a commute? Did they outgrow their old apartment? Are they looking for a cheaper place to rent?

How often have you moved around? If you don't want to look for tenants often, you are going to want to find people that have found a home and stayed there for a few years. If someone moves every few months, they will do the same for you!

Who is going to live with you? You have every right to ask this question because you don't want to overcrowd the home or your apartment building. That being said, you shouldn't be afraid to rent an apartment to a few friends who want to room together, as long as the apartment is big enough. You shouldn't rent a one-bedroom apartment to three people. There is just not enough room in there!

What about pets? You are going to need to know if your tenants are going to bring pets into the apartment. You may or may not allow them, so this is one question that you shouldn't be afraid to ask.

Can you pass a background and credit check? You may want to require a background and credit check. If you decide to, you should ask your tenants about this. Some will walk away right away, knowing that you won't like what you see. Good tenants won't care that you want to take this extra step.

Here are some questions that you can't ask.

Where are you from? You can't ask your tenants where they came from because it is racist. It is also against the Fair Housing Act. You can't discriminate against someone due to their race.

How many children do you have? Though this feels similar to asking a tenant about how many people are going to live in the apartment, the truth is that you can't ask anyone how many children they have. You can't discriminate against a tenant due to their family situation.

Are you disabled? Do you have a service dog? These scream discrimination against those with disabilities, so you should never ask about that. While you may also feel like you are just asking about pets, the truth is that service animals can live in a no-pet building!

It can feel tricky to find the right tenants. You want to ask a lot of questions, to be sure that they will be good tenants who pay on time and fit into your building. However, you can't ask them about their origin, religion, or even if they have disabilities.

You can ask them about when they are ready to move in, as well as if they have the money together to start the process. You are going to need a security deposit, so you are going to want to make sure that they can pay you right away!

You also have a right to know who all is going to be living with them. They may have roommates, which shouldn't be discouraged. However, when you ask this question, you need to phrase it like that. You can't ask them how many children they have. That could be considered discrimination too!