It’s time to narrow down the definition of a good tenant. Is it someone that always pays his rent on time? Is it a renter that always keeps the unit clean and tidy? The answer is a resounding yes to both questions but there are also other factors that make up the qualities of a good tenant.
It all boils down to responsibility
A good tenant will be responsible in all actions of his life. This means that he takes full responsibility for his financial, personal and group activities and is always true to his word. When you have a person that has these types of aspects he will keep his rental unit clean, will always pay the rent on time and will help out others in the building when necessary.
This doesn’t mean that he will be carrying the groceries for all of the other tenants but rather that he will be taking responsibility for their actions. If he notices that another tenant has left the water running and it is spilling out into the hallway, for instance, he will take that extra minute to call the landlord to report it. Instead of stepping over the puddle when he’s on his way to work and assuming that the problem will get corrected by somebody else, he will take the extra time required to make the call.
A tenant must be able to pay the rent on time
In order to find a responsible tenant you must first determine that he has the capability to pay the rent every month and do so in a timely manner. Proper tenant screening through a credit check, verifying employment income and checking through the listed references will give you the data you need to determine whether the ability to pay is there or not.
Corporate transfers and temporary job placements make fantastic tenants since the corporate office is going to be responsible for all payments made. This type of tenant usually arrives alone without a family and maintains the unit respectfully while he is there on business purposes.
The lease agreement is a contract
A responsible tenant follows the terms and conditions in the contract he signed. He doesn’t bend the rules for any reason without first contacting the landlord and asking for permission to do so. He respects the contract and takes full responsibility for making sure that the rules of the building are always respected.
This is all it really boils down to. A good tenant is a responsible one that respects the rental agreement. When you perform a background check on a potential tenant you’ll be able to find out the information you need to know in order to determine whether this is a responsible person or not.