47 Questions to Ask a Tenant About Rental

As a landlord or property manager, it is important to thoroughly screen potential tenants to ensure a successful rental experience. An effective way to do this is to have a thorough conversation with the tenant and ask a series of questions to gather important information.

In this blog post, we will provide a list of questions to ask a tenant about their rental history, employment and income, credit and financial history, and personal references.

Asking these questions will give you valuable insight into the tenant’s background and help you make an informed decision about whether they are a good fit for your property.

Table of Contents

47 Questions you can ask a tenant about rental:

Basic personal information

What is your full name?
What is your date of birth?
What is your current address?
What is your phone number?
Do you have any other forms of contact information, such as an email address or alternate phone number?
Are you currently employed, and if so, where do you work and what is your job title?
Have you ever been evicted from a rental property, and if so, why?
Are you able to provide proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax documents?
How many people will be living in the rental property, including yourself?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime, and if so, what was the nature of the offense?

Rental history

What was your previous address and how long did you live there?
Who was your previous landlord and how can they be contacted?
Did you have any issues or challenges during your previous rental, and if so, what were they?
Were you ever late with rent or did you have any other problems with payment during your previous rental?
Did you have any disputes with your previous landlord or neighbors, and if so, how were they resolved?
Did you provide proper notice before moving out of your previous rental, and if not, why?
Were you responsible for any property damage during your previous rental, and if so, did you pay for it?
Did you have any pets during your previous rental, and if so, did you have permission from the landlord?
Did you have any guests or roommates during your previous rental, and if so, were they on the lease?
Did you have any issues with the condition of the property when you moved in or out of your previous rental, and if so, how were they resolved?

Employment and income information

What is your current employer and job title?
How long have you been with your current employer?
What is your current salary or income?
Can you provide proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax documents?
Do you have any additional sources of income, such as investments or part-time work?
Are you currently looking for a new job, and if so, why?
Have you ever been fired from a job, and if so, why?
Are you currently in school or pursuing any other education or training?
Do you have any financial obligations, such as child support or alimony payments?
Do you have any upcoming job changes or career plans that could affect your ability to pay rent?

Credit and financial history

What is your current credit score?
Have you ever declared bankruptcy or been foreclosed upon?
Do you have any outstanding debts, such as credit card balances or student loans?
Have you ever been sued for non-payment of a debt, and if so, what was the outcome?
Do you have any collections accounts or judgments against you?
Do you have any unpaid taxes or other financial obligations to the government?
Have you ever had a car repossessed or had any other assets seized for non-payment?
Do you have any cosigners or guarantors for your debts or financial obligations?
Have you ever had difficulty obtaining credit or been denied a loan or credit card?
Are you currently facing any financial challenges or hardships that could affect your ability to pay rent?

Personal references

Can you provide the contact information for at least two personal references?
How do you know your personal references, and for how long have you known them?
Have your personal references ever rented from a landlord, and if so, can they provide a reference?
Do your personal references know about your rental history and current housing situation?
Have your personal references ever lived with you or observed your behavior as a tenant?
Are your personal references willing to speak with the landlord or property manager if contacted?
Do your personal references have any knowledge of your financial history or creditworthiness?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tenant and lessee?

A tenant is a person who occupies a property, such as an apartment or house, that is owned by another person or entity. The tenant pays rent to the owner and in return receives the right to live on the property.

A lessee, on the other hand, is a person who’s signed a lease agreement with the owner of the property. The lessee typically has more rights and responsibilities than a tenant and may have the option to buy the property at the end of the lease.

Generally, a tenant is a short-term occupier of a property, while a lessee has a more long-term arrangement with the property owner.

Can my landlord evict me for no reason?

Generally, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without a reason. In most cases, a landlord must have a valid reason for eviction, such as nonpayment of rent or a breach of the lease agreement. If a landlord tries to evict a tenant without a valid reason, the tenant may have legal recourse.

However, specific laws regarding landlord-tenant relations and eviction vary from place to place, and it is always best to consult a local attorney or housing authority to find out what rights and protections tenants have in a particular location.

Conclusion

In conclusion, asking the right questions during a tenant interview can be a valuable tool for landlords and property managers. By gathering information about the tenant, you can make an informed decision about whether the tenant is a good fit for your property.

Asking these questions will also allow you to identify potential red flags or problem areas and address them before entering into a rental agreement. By taking the time to have a thorough conversation with the tenant, you can ensure a successful and mutually beneficial rental relationship.