How To Find Good Tenants For Your Perth Rental
Finding the right tenants – and why it’s not just about getting top dollar!
We’ve been in the property management game a while and today, we want to bust the myth of the “perfect tenant”.
The truth is, the “perfect tenant” doesn’t exist!
Every landlord’s situation is unique. A good tenant for you might be a nightmare for another landlord.
That’s why we want to help you to figure out what makes a tenant right for you… and it isn’t always about the money!
In this blog, we’ll be sharing some of our top recommendations for what to consider when choosing a tenant, including:
- your situation (finances, investments, priorities, etc.) and what you need and want
- the value of the property
- how to rank applicants
- how your property manager can help you find the best tenant and still maximise rent.
Assessing your own situation
Your first step in selecting a good tenant is to assess your own needs and goals.
Some things you might consider are:
- your cash flow and goals for rental income
- repayments – (positive or negative gearing?)
- property condition (is it your own home or an investment?)
- special maintenance needs (garden or pool?)
- your plans for the future (moving in or renovating?)
These factors will help you know what to look for in potential tenants.
Assessing the value of the property
When it comes to assessing rental value, landlords may consider:
- what they need from the property (overheads, repayments, etc.)
- market rent based on median values available online (REIWA, realestate.com, etc.)
- past rent on the property
- other properties advertised in the area.
A property manager can also make further options available to you (read on to find out more!)
Ranking applicants to sort the good tenants from the rest
Landlords should request a written application – the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) make a simple, free form available.
Some landlords rank applicants based on ‘gut feelings’ and appearances. Others:
- compare application forms, ranking applicants in terms of their priorities
- reference check applicants with past landlords
- ask for proof of income and employment.
Some applicants may offer more rent than others.
It is tempting to always accept the highest rent, but to choose the best tenant, you need a good idea of:
- a) the current market rental value of your property and
- b) how well the applicant matches your personal priorities.
At We Love Rentals, we have a thorough process for assessing tenancy applicants – but of course, it is always ultimately the landlord’s decision.
How can a property manager help find the best tenant for you (and still maximise rent)?
Property managers have a range of resources available to assess tenancy applicants, many of which are not available to private landlords.
They also have the benefit of years of experience in spotting red flags when they meet applicants.
Your property manager can help you with:
-
Calculating rental value accurately
Accurately valued properties rent faster. Your property manager has access to:
- specialised rental valuation apps
- most relevant comparable properties, including recently let properties
They can also give you advice on how to enhance rental value (e.g. allowing pets.)
-
Formal tenant application process
A property manager will use a formal application process that reduces your risk by:
- using a more in-depth form designed to protect landlords
- ensuring compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and privacy law.
-
Thorough tenant vetting process
Property managers can also:
- check references more thoroughly (agencies will talk more openly to an agent than a landlord)
- access subscriber-only tenancy databases (We Love Rentals has access to the leading three!)
- verify income and employment details (employers are more comfortable disclosing this to an agent than a landlord).
A property manager can also advise on additional ways of comparing tenants who offer different rent, including:
- length of the tenancy (long tenancies can save on reletting fees)
- applicant ability to fulfil special requirements (e.g. past history maintaining gardens)
- impact of the number of occupants.
In summary
Choosing a good tenant should not just be about who offers the most rent.
At We Love Rentals, we have all the resources and experience to help you with this decision, including access to all three tenancy databases available (many property managers only have access to one or two).
If you think we can help you with selecting the best tenants for your situation, call Sarah Leahy on (08) 6254 6300, or click here to request your free property appraisal!
Brendan Leahy
I am the licensee of We Love Rentals and provide support to the team whenever needed. I began my real estate career over two decades years ago. While I loved seeing people achieve their dream of a new home for their family, I kept thinking that there had to be a better way of doing real estate – one with respect for the long term benefit of the client and one that focuses on customer satisfaction.
