How to Check Landlord References | Property Management

As a landlord, tenant screening is one of the most important things you do. In my opinion, landlord references are one of your most valuable tenant screening tools. This is definitely a place tenants can (and do) lie on their application, but there are several steps you can take to verify that the provided landlord contact information is correct.

More information on using the county assessor's website:

[mattschamel]

A good tip I've learned is, when calling a previous or current landlord, when they answer ask if they have any properties available for rent first. If the number provided is just a buddy or family member they will be caught off guard and reply that they don't have rentals. That can tell you if it's a legit landlord reference.

[Daniel-lwpo]

thanks for the tips, im a first time landlord and found your ideas very good

[raba]

I was trying to remember your YouTube channel name, but forgot. Luckily, this video popped up on my feed. Subscribed!

[OtherDalfite]

Hey Mandy, newcomer here and big fan of the channel! My mom just passed and I inherited her small home, which I'm hoping to turn into a rental property.

Your videos are serving as some great starting foundation for me and I really appreciate you sharing the information for free. Subscribed.

[mr.goodpliers]

Great info. You are well on your way to grooming a very professional approach to what you do. You are going to go places!

[ronaldjohnson]

Thanks for your video, Mandy. I just closed on a four-plex recently and will be putting your advice to work.

[leoncharles]

Thanks Mandy...God richly bless you and your family sis

[searchbug]

Definitely agree with you, Mandy! Background checking should be the top priority of landlords. While we are it, let me stress enough how important it is. Since the Jeffrey Dahmer case is all over the internet again following Netflix adaptation, we can see that there are mishaps that lead to killings. As a landlord, someone should background check him thoroughly, because of this, a lot of lives were taken, as well as the property of the landlord. It was reported that 15 months after Jeffrey was locked into prison, the Oxford Apartments was bought for $325k just to be demolished. Imagine how much the landlord could have generated if the killings didn't happen.

So to all landlords out there, please do screen potential tenants thoroughly. If you see red flags, do not let them rent your place. Save yourself and other people from misery that dangerous people could bring.

[sophiang]

great tip! Thank you very much for your sharing!

[stanfrymann]

In my state, management companies are reluctant to confirm anything beyond dates of tenancy. I have my questions printed on a sheet and have the prospective tenant sign an authorization for the management company to answer the questions.

[guven]

You are just amazing Mandy!!!! I love the intelligence and awesomeness. I took a not on all those questions. Getting ready to close on my first rental this month. Would love to connect and possibly ask some other questions as well. Thank you again!!!

[Aaaa-fwwl]

Very helpful.We rented to people who did not have a good experience with their previous landlord and they give us hard time leaving the property now

[mariavargas]

Thank you, am new at this, we just close on our 2 rentals!!! Where do you go for the background check and credit. ma

[RealityRenovations]

My latest favorite question to ask the previous landlord “have you thought about selling” 😂

[teoweihan]

Hi Mandy! *waves back* Thanks for the sharing. I took notes especially on the various examples questions. I will be implementing them whenever i start to self manage.

Its sad that we can't get our property managers to apply this level of checks and we end up with an approved (base on their checklist) tenant, but we have the gut feel that the tenant will not take care of the property that well and may trash the rehabbed pty.

[dairysmoreta]

Mandy can you please give us a link to download these questionnaire please 🙏 😁

[mikewallin]

Home owner now but my previous landlord died...What would I put down on the application if I wanted to rent?

[duckling]

LOL...I was about to post that it was useless to contact current landlord because they will lie to get rid of the tenants, but I watched 'till the end and you explained it perfectly...hehehe...btw, as a current landlord, I will admit that I will say positive things about a current tenant just to get rid of them fast.

[JenNotZ]

what site do you use for application/screening tenants?

[sideofglam]

Saw Mandy's video and immediately clicked!