How Much Information About a Tenant should a Landlord Ask For?

Discussion in 'Landlord & Rental Property Questions' started by Rainman, Sep 9, 2014.

  1. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    Sometimes a landlord just needs enough personal information about a tenant so that in case of anything they'll know how to find them, prevent people of questionable repute from living in your house, apartment/flat — whatever. Most landlords though do not know how much information they need, what boundaries they shouldn't cross and so on. So, to other landlords: would you please answer my question? What questions do you ask prospective tenants?
     
  2. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    Well now in Europe they are starting to make laws about what you are allowed to ask and what you aren't allowed to ask. Which is really idiotic.
    Let's put it like this: if I was a landlord I'd want to know EVERYTHING.
     
  3. Profit5500

    Profit5500 Senior Investor

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    So what if the person had a history of fraud? Would they just be treated as if nothing is wrong. I would say that I am glad to live in the US I would have to be careful if I want to be a landlord. I would make sure to know everything about my tenant.
     
  4. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    No, of course they are not being complete idiots regarding these limits. Criminal history, financial things etc are of course things you can and should ask. They want to limit more personal questions... religion/sexual preference etc. I just hate the idea since if I was renting then it would be MY apartment so I should be able to choose who lives there. If they don't want to answer my questions that's of course completely fine, then I'll just ask the questions from the next person.

    But yeah if I was investing in real estate in Europe I'd be a bit worried about this.
     
  5. dianethare

    dianethare Senior Investor

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    Wow!...something i had completely overlooked...i guess i need to note this down and visit this particular page often for more wisdom and thoughts in this regard.
     
  6. Profit5500

    Profit5500 Senior Investor

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    Okay so that is the degree of personal that these people are limiting to ask for. I was not sure in your post what personal parts they were limiting to what the landlord would ask. I would still be cautious with who my tenants are just to be safe.
     
  7. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    Yeah we definitely need to be cautious. Some countries in Europe might have such laws as I was talking about already, but it's only now that they are planning on making some EU wide regulations as to which information is a landlords business and which is not. But yeah it's not ideal... I want as much information as I can get.
     
  8. Muthoni

    Muthoni Guest

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    It is very important for a landlord to have proof of what a tenant does for a living. There was a case in my region of a tenant who kept to himself. He was involved in a robbery and the police traced him into the residential premises. There was a shootout between him and the police where he was killed. His landlord and his neighbors did not have adequate information on him to establish who to contact to vacate his items from the rental house. The police recovered four guns in the rented premises.
     
  9. dianethare

    dianethare Senior Investor

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    Now that you mentioned it, i don't want alcoholics, drug addicts, thieves, murderers, people involved in black magic occupying my property...it may look petty but it normally leaves weird case scenarios at the end of the day...come to think of it!
     
  10. Determined2014

    Determined2014 Guest

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    According to my experience, you should know a lot , like where they work, that way you will be sure they have an income, do a less detailed background check, maybe you could be renting to a rapist and the children there start getting raped, it will bring a bad rep to your property, so yes you should know some details about your tenant.
     

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