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Virtual apartment tours offer convenience and accessibility — but they’re also sometimes necessary. As people across the U.S. are being encouraged to stay home in the face of the pandemic, tenants still need to look for rental properties and landlords still need to fill rental vacancies.
If you can’t meet in person at the property, a virtual rental property showing is your next best option. We spoke with Tyler Forte, founder of Nashville-based real estate brokerage Felix Homes, to find out what every landlord and tenant should know about a virtual property showing.
1. Virtual Apartment Tours Don’t Have to be Complicated
Some landlords choose to have a virtual walkthrough of their property available on the listing (sometimes in 3D) so tenants can have access to a virtual open house at all times. But when an in-person showing isn’t an option, it can be helpful for landlords to offer individual virtual tours with tenants. Still, these virtual tours don’t have to be technologically advanced.
“It can be as complicated as buying a fancy camera to do something that’s prerecorded or as simple as taking out your phone and opening up Facetime or Google Hangouts and just having a video call,” said Forte.
As long as the tenant can adequately view the property and talk with the landlord, special filming equipment isn’t necessary.
2. Be Just as Thorough as You Would During an In-Person Apartment Showing
Virtual apartment tours may not be the norm for a landlord or a prospective tenant yet, but it’s important to be just as thorough as you would during an in-person showing. Landlords should clean and stage the unit like they would before an in-person tour, and have all relevant paperwork ready to send to the prospective tenant electronically (we recommend using online rental applications and digital leases for this reason).
Likewise, tenants should be prepared with a list of apartment hunting questions. It can be easy to forget to ask some of the more important questions if you’re not physically in the rental property, so make sure you think about what you need to know from the landlord beforehand and have a list of questions ready to go.
Both landlords and tenants should request that the virtual tour take place during the day. Natural light can make a big difference, especially when everything is being captured by video.
3. Show Every Part of the Rental Property or Unit
Just because the tour is virtual doesn’t mean any relevant part of the unit or property should be left out. This applies to things like common areas, elevators and stairwells, amenities (like a gym, a building’s laundry room, or a lobby), and the outside of the property.
Don’t forget to capture the small things, either. Since a tenant isn’t physically present, make sure that smaller details of the property are still showcased over the virtual tour, including fixtures, closets or storage space, the inside of cabinets or the laundry room, and even the view from the windows.
“Explore the nooks and crannies of the home,” said Forte. “Focus on the kitchen, focus on the bathrooms and the real selling points, but don’t overlook anything.”
Prospective tenants should also request that the landlord or property manager giving the virtual tour perform any tasks the tenant would otherwise do in person. This could include turning on faucets, inspecting the inside of the refrigerator, dishwasher or laundry appliances, or opening doors and windows.
4. Be Conversational and Leave Time for Questions
An in-person property showing is usually the time when a landlord and tenant get to meet face-to-face, make a good impression and ask the important questions. A virtual rental property showing is no different — even though you aren’t in the same room, make sure you maintain the conversation and don’t pass up the opportunity to get a feel for the landlord’s management style or the tenant’s preferences and behavior.
Take the time to get on the same page about things like pet policies, move-in dates, application requirements or any additional rental fees. Even though the showing is virtual, do your best to keep the conversation going and get the information you need.
“Be natural,” Forte advises. “You’re talking into a screen, but at the end of the day, you want to picture it like you’re talking directly to an actual human.”
5. Have Quality Photos to Complement the Virtual Tour
Finally, have some quality photos ready to follow the virtual tour. Since tenants often take their own photos during a showing, the photos you provide a prospective tenant after a virtual showing might be more detailed than the photos you posted on the rental listing.
It can also be helpful to provide a floorplan of the property or unit. Since the prospective tenant isn’t able to be there in person to get a feel for the space, a floor plan with measurements is especially helpful.
6. Be Wary of Rental Scams
When tenants and landlords are meeting virtually, both parties should look out for rental scams. Even after a virtual tour, a landlord should thoroughly vet a prospective tenant, taking specific precautions if they haven’t had a chance to meet that tenant in person.
Tenants should also look out for these six common rental scams, and above all, ensure that the landlord requires a comprehensive application and screening process. Remember that no money should ever be exchanged before a lease is signed.
Manage the Rental Process With Avail
A virtual apartment tour might not be able to completely replace an in-person showing, but it does help with convenience and eliminates unnecessary interactions. A tenant may decide they need to see the property in person before they sign a lease, but offering virtual tours can at least help decrease in-person meetings with tenants who aren’t seriously interested in the property.
If the virtual property tour goes well, make sure you’re prepared for the next steps. Since the landlord and tenant are meeting virtually for the showing, landlords should offer a digital rental application that a tenant can fill out online if they’re interested in moving forward with renting the property. You can easily create a customized rental application for free on Avail. All you have to do is create an account, set up your properties, and then you’re set!
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An apartment showing is a great chance to ask the landlord questions you may have on the property, see the apartment in person, and view the neighborhood. While there are other parts of the renting process you’ll need to prepare for, the first step is viewing the property in person to decide if you want to submit an application.
In this article, we share everything you need to know on apartment showings to help you feel prepared as a renter.
How to Act During an Apartment Showing
An apartment showing is the first time you’ll be meeting the landlord in person or speaking with them virtually. Below are a suggestions on how to act during an apartment showing to leave a good impression:
- Communicate professionally: When requesting a showing, be respectful of the landlord’s time and be sincere in your interest. Pick a mutually convenient time, share your phone number in case of last-minute issues (or to be notified if the unit is snapped up) and arrive on time. Professional communication is a two-way street: If the property manager is tough to pin down or short on details, keep in mind what that might mean if you have to rely on them for maintenance and repairs as a renter.
- Don’t come in blind: Before scheduling a showing, make sure the rental rate is within your budget. When landlords run credit checks, they’ll look to make sure your monthly earnings are at least 2.5 to 3 times the rental rate. If you know you don’t meet that benchmark but have a co-signer, consider sharing that info upfront so you won’t be disqualified.
- Bring a checklist: Having a list of questions to ask helps you cover your bases and demonstrates you’re organized and conscientious, which will score points with the landlord.
- Say thank you: Many landlords manage properties in addition to holding full-time jobs. Depending on the market, they could have dozens of showings a month. Expressing appreciation for their time is not only kind, it’ll go a long way toward showing the landlord you’re the kind of person they want as a renter.
The apartment showing should include a tour of the open unit and any additional spaces you’ll have access to, such as laundry rooms and amenities spaces. A showing is your opportunity to assess the space, ask questions and confirm the details so you know what your rent will cover.
Remember that you’re allowed to see all spaces and amenities that are included in your rent, and under Fair Housing laws, a landlord isn’t allowed to steer you towards a particular unit based on something like a disability or familial status.
What to Ask During an Apartment Showing
Before filling out a rental application, you should be well-informed on the apartment to avoid dealing with non-stop maintenance requests or issues. Here are three questions you can ask your landlord during an apartment showing:
- How are utilities handled? Will you need to set up any services under your own name? Are utilities included in the rental rate? If not, what’s the average utilities cost per month?
- How are requests for maintenance and repairs addressed? Some units have an on-site manager, others ask that you call or email with non-emergency requests. A good landlord should have a clear process for addressing issues and will appreciate you asking about the proper protocol.
- Can I take photos? If a unit is occupied during your showing, you may not be allowed to take pictures, but you should request an opportunity to do a walkthrough prior to move-in to take photos documenting the condition of the unit. This protects you from being charged for issues on move-out that predate your tenancy.
Finally, be on guard for scams. If a landlord shows you a model unit instead of the specific apartment open for rent, proceed with caution and definitely don’t sign an agreement without doing a walkthrough of the actual unit. Once you’ve filed an application and been approved to rent the unit, it’s time to ensure the terms of the rental lease align with your needs and expectations.
The two biggest rules of thumb for rental leases are: If you don’t understand something, ask, and always get changes in writing.
What If the Apartment Showing Goes Well?
If you’ve decided the apartment is for you, then the next step is signing a rental lease with your landlord. Every lease agreement includes different clauses based on where it’s located, but here are the main sections to look for:
- The lease length — and your options for terminating it early: Don’t assume you can find a subletter or leave the contract early without penalty. Make sure you understand and agree to the policy, and make sure the lease is detailed enough to outline all important rental clauses, rules and responsibilities.
- The roommate and pet policy: Landlords may allow roommates, but might have specific requirements for candidates or mandate that all occupants have to be on the lease. Likewise with pets: Leases may stipulate that only certain types of pets are approved, include a size restriction, or consider a portion of the security deposit a payment toward cleaning or refinishing floors when a pet moves out.
- Costs and payment options: Can you pay rent online, or are you expected to drop off a paper check at the end of every month? When is rent due and how much is the late fee? Landlords often require an application fee, move-in fee and/or security deposit prior to move-in, but you should not be asked to pay multiple months’ of rent upfront.
- Emergency procedures and maintenance: The lease should detail how emergency needs or maintenance requests should be communicated and how quickly you can expect them to be addressed. It should also include the lockout policy so you know who to contact if you lose your key and what it will cost.
- Which modifications are allowed: Even something as simple as painting or hanging pictures with nails may be a no-go in the lease. That said, there’s often room for negotiation. Just be sure to get any verbal agreements added to the lease before you sign.
Will I Need to Pay a Security Deposit Fee?
Landlords typically require renters to pay the first and last month’s rent and a security deposit before you can get the keys. Some states limit how much landlords can request for a security deposit, but some leave it up to the landlord’s discretion. Security deposits are often equivalent to one month’s rent, but check your state laws to make sure you aren’t overpaying.
You will only be required to pay a security deposit fee if your rental application has been approved by the landlord and you’re planning on moving in.
Find Your Next Apartment With Avail
An apartment showing doesn’t have to be stressful. They’re a great way to view the property, get to know the landlord, and see if it’s a right fit for you. If you’re still on the search for a new apartment, you can easily find nearby rental properties near you with Realtor.com®.
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Renters in the West were the most likely to rent an apartment sight unseen, with 9% of respondents saying they’d done so. That’s more than twice as many as in the Northeast (4%), where the practice of renting sight unseen is least common.
So what’s behind the practice? Yoni Pogofsky, managing broker at Pogofsky Group Real Estate, suggested two possible drivers.
“Prospective tenants are becoming more and more open to renting a property sight unseen,” he said. “I think this is happening for a couple different reasons. First, and what I think is the most common reason, is that some prospective tenants are relocating from out of state, and do not have the ability to visit the property early enough before their move-in date.
As they search online for apartments, they see that many of them get snatched up before they have a chance to look at it. This creates a sense of urgency over the fear of losing options for the tenants, and so they are forced to rent sight unseen.”
This analysis aligns with census population numbers, which show that most of the nation’s fastest-growing cities by population are in the West.
Pogofsky also noted that many landlords refuse to rent properties without a showing, so when a tenant finds someone who allows the practice, they’re likely to jump at the opportunity.
The second reason he offered that might spur sight-unseen rentals is improving technology. “Virtual apartment shopping has become easier and easier,” he said. “Tenants have the ability to virtually walk through an apartment and see videos, photos, floorplans, and dimensions.”
So does that mean he thinks renting an apartment without seeing it in person is a good idea?
“No,” he said unequivocally. “It’s a terrible idea to rent an apartment virtually.”
We agree. Check out our list of questions to ask during an apartment showing, which is part of our Tenant’s Guide to Finding an Apartment.
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You need high-quality tenants who pay rent on time and take care of your investment property while making sure you find them fast. The longer your property is vacant, the more rental income you’re losing. After listing your property, the next step is showing your property to tenant leads. It’s a good idea to stage your property with rental furniture if your unit is currently sitting empty.
In this article, we’ll outline different ways that rental furniture can help you rent your unit faster. We’ll also provide information on how to rent furniture and what it costs. Please note, if you have current tenants living in your rental, we recommend reading how to show your property with current tenants.
The Benefits of Renting Furniture as a Landlord
Here are four ways to use rental furniture to rent your unit faster:
1. Take Quality Photos of Your Rental
If your rental listing currently has pictures of your property when it’s empty, you should take pictures of the space with furniture. It’s better to have staged rental furniture, rather than a previous tenant’s furniture because it will likely make the space look bigger and more polished.
Furniture in your rental listing photos will also help tenants imagine the space. In fact, having photos in your listing is proven to create more leads:
As you can see in the graph above, having approximately 13 photos is perfect for maximizing renter attention.
If you rent furniture and take photos for your listing, you should also keep in mind that these photos are useful for more than just listing photos. You can also use furnished photos to make your listing more appealing on social media. You can potentially justify a higher rent price (a polished listing and rental property is worth more to renters!), and you can also use the photos to document the condition of the unit.
2. Improve Your Property Showing With Furniture
To make a space look bigger (and warmer), it helps to show the space with furniture, rather than empty. According to interior decor experts, having furniture in a room, especially when it’s not directly up against a wall, helps visually open up the space. If you’re showing an empty rental, it’s hard for the prospective tenant to know how much furniture fits in the room.
In addition to making the room look bigger, having furniture in your rental also helps the prospective tenant imagine the space as their home. Rather than staring at a blank canvas of space, the renter will see potential and get excited.
3. Rent Your Property With Furniture
Renting furniture for listing photos and property showings can seem like a lot. Keep in mind that you can rent furniture for as little as one month. However, you can also choose to rent the furniture for a full year and rent your property furnished.
According to this article, when most landlords rent the unit furnished, they raise rent by approximately $400-600. If you rent furniture for a reasonable price, you can potentially make more rental income by renting your unit furnished!
Here’s an example of how this can work:
Rental furniture – $296/month
Increase Monthly Rent Price By $400/month
In this example, you would make an extra $104 each month, or $1,248 for the year. That’s similar to renting a unit for an extra month. If you do this model across multiple rental units, you can end up with even more profit.
STRATEGY TIP: Rent your property furnished, take pictures showing it furnished and the next time the property is up for lease, advertise it furnished and unfurnished and use the pictures to promote it as such. You only contract furniture if you lease the property furnished. This is a great long-term strategy that gives you flexibility every time your property is up for rent.
4. Rent Your Unit Faster
A key part of renting your unit faster is making it look its best. Staging your rental with the right furnishings is a must. Furniture rentals are an affordable option to ensure your property spends less days on the market.
Here’s a recap of how you can use furniture rentals to rent your unit faster:
- Take photos of your furnished unit for your rental listing to attract more tenant leads
- Improve your [property showing](https://www.avail.com/education/articles/how-to-show-your-rental-property-while-its-occupied/) with furniture that makes your space look bigger and more polished
- Help tenants imagine the space as their home so they’re more willing to apply and sign a lease
- Offer your unit as a furnished rental to generate interest and raise rent
How Do You Get Rental Furniture?
When you rent furniture, you’ll shop online for a furniture set that you’d like. You can search by room and buy a whole set, or you can search by different pieces of furniture, such as renting just a couch, desk, etc.
Next, you’ll continue to the checkout where you’ll select how long you’d like to rent the furniture for. You typically get the best deal if you rent for a full 12 months, which is great if you’re looking to rent your unit furnished. However, if you’re looking to only furnish the unit for a property showing, you can rent furniture for as little as one month.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent Furniture?
A sofa, for example, can range from $66-133 per month depending on the style you choose. Your final cost will also depend on the lease length:
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Once you’ve reached out to landlords from rental listing sites, the next step will be scheduling an apartment showing. The landlord will be interested in meeting you, as well as asking questions on your rent payment history and rental history. However, this is also a great chance for you to ask the landlord questions on the property, the type of landlord they are, and what to expect.
Below, we’ll dive into questions you should ask to make sure the apartment is a good fit for you.
Ask About the Apartment Itself
The landlord should give you a complete tour of the unit and building. If they don’t do this already, you should ask to see every part of the building available to you — including the laundry room, exercise facility, storage space, yard, parking spot, etc.
You should ask about features in the unit, too. Do you need to do anything to maintain the appliances or floors? Is the fireplace a gas fireplace? Will you be responsible for replacing the furnace filter? Not only are these useful things for you to know, but they will also indicate to the landlord that you’ll take care of the unit while you live there.
Ask How the Apartment is Managed
It’s important to find out more about how the property is managed.
- Who should you contact for maintenance problems?
- Who should you contact if there is an emergency maintenance issue?
- What’s the typical response time for maintenance requests?
- What is the procedure if you get locked out? Is there a lockbox with a spare key?
- Will the locks be changed before you move in?
- Can you make copies of the key?
- Can you pay rent online?
- What utilities are included in rent and which ones will you be responsible for setting up?
Ask About the Rental Lease Terms
If you like the apartment, it’s a good idea to ask more about the rental terms before you dive into an application.
- What is the rent price? You can always try to negotiate the price.
- How long will the lease term be?
- Are pets allowed?
- Is renters insurance required? If so, Lemonade will have you covered in seconds.
- Are there any specific rules, such as quiet hours, that you should know about?
- Is a lease renewal an option?
Ask About the Application Process
Find out what the application process entails. Typically, the screening process will include a rental application, and then a credit, background, and eviction report. These reports will tell the landlord that you’re a responsible tenant.
Ideally, your landlord will use a third-party service to have you authorize the reports. If not, ask your landlord if he or she has heard about Avail. With Avail, your landlord will never have to see your social security number, making it safer and faster for everyone involved.
Also ask if the rental application will require references, and if so, which ones are preferred. That way you can gather reference information that will be most useful to the landlord as you fill out the application.
Ask for an Application
If you go to an apartment showing and you love the space and the landlord, then the next step is applying for the apartment. Continue reading to learn exactly how to apply for an apartment — we’ll even show you the best way to apply to multiple properties without doing any extra work.
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Rental property showings are the first time you meet prospective tenants. The showing is also typically the only time a prospective tenant sees your property before deciding if they are interested. This means the showing is your only opportunity to maximize tenant interest and select the best tenants.
Landlords commonly believe open houses will save them time. But in reality, open houses waste your time by hurting your rental process. The disadvantages we’ll go over below reveal that open houses decrease tenant interest and weaken tenant screening, which costs you more time in the long run.
Here are seven reasons why your open house is a waste of time.
1. Automatic Disqualification of Good Tenants
When you schedule an open house, you decide a window of time when tenants can show up with no exceptions. When you do that, you risk disqualifying great tenants who can’t make the time slot. What’s worse, if you announce the open house time in your rental listing, some tenants may not even reach out to you.
Automatically disqualifying great tenants means you’re willing to risk never meeting the perfect tenant who will pay rent on time and care for your property. It’s much better to work with each tenant and find a time that works. That way, you meet tenants who are interested in your property and not just tenants who can make the open house time.
2. No Personalized Attention or Walk-Through
Having too many people in the space means you can’t give each tenant personalized attention. Tenants want to meet you and ask questions. Even worse, you can’t give each tenant a walk-through. A walk-through is when you take a tenant around the property, highlighting perks as you go. You might show off extra storage space or a gorgeous view. Walk-throughs are effective at getting tenants interested in the space.
But with multiple tenants, you won’t be able to guide people through the property. This is a missed opportunity for you to peak tenant interest. The lack of personalized attention also means that people will be left unattended on your property, which increases the chance of theft.
3. Tenants Can’t Visualize Living There
Everyone knows that letting tenants visualize themselves living there is the best way to make the “sale.” But open houses are too crowded to let tenants envision the space as their own. Tenants want to plan, “This is where I could put my couch and TV,” but that’s impossible with five people in the way.
Plus, a space full of strangers does not feel like home. Add to that, your space looks smaller with people in it, and you’ll have a harder time renting your unit.
4. Tenants Don’t Like Competition
Contrary to popular belief, prospective tenants don’t like competition. Competition is discouraging to tenants because it signals a lower chance of getting the unit. A tenant won’t go through with applying if there’s too much competition, especially if they’re not that interested to begin (because the space is too crowded and they haven’t received one-on-one attention).
Even if a tenant loved your unit, they will feel there’s no point in moving forward in the process if it’s a total waste of time and money to apply. A tenant won’t be inclined to pay for and spend time on a rental application. Although, if a tenant applies through Avail and doesn’t get your property, you can tell them to share their rental application with other landlords. Avail tenants can share their application multiple times, only paying $55 for application and associated screening reports once.
5. It’s Annoying for Current Tenants
Open houses require that current tenants are not home for a long stretch of time, which is more bothersome than asking for a few 15-minute walk-throughs. Current tenants are more likely to approve a small favor, like a 15-minute window of time, than a large favor. This is known as the foot-in-the-door approach.
The best way to go about property showings with current tenants is to ask them when they are typically not home. Then, schedule your showings in 15-minute pockets of time when you know they will not be there.
And remember, always notify your tenants when you will be showing the unit. That way, you’re providing adequate notice of entry and asking for the space to be clean.
6. Open Houses Weaken Tenant Screening
The key to tenant screening at a property showing is to get to know each potential applicant. With multiple people in the property, it’ll be hard to get to know each tenant interested in your property.
Compared to open houses, individual property showings actually provide a clear hierarchy of who is most interested and who reaches out first. This hierarchy is incredibly useful for selecting quality tenants. Open houses don’t allow responsible tenants to step forward and show their interest.
7. Makes Deliberation Tougher
At an open house, you’ll have many names and faces to remember. Several hours later, when it’s time to think about who you met, you likely won’t be able to place a face to a name. This will be even harder three to four days later when you receive a tenant’s rental application and credit check. Basically, you are throwing away the advantage of actually meeting tenants.
Schedule Property Showings With Tenants
Individual property showings are the best way to meet tenants and show your space. Individualized attention, walk-throughs, and the opportunity to get to know each prospect are all benefits of individual showings that help you rent your unit to high-quality tenants.
Not sure what to do next in the rental process? Learn more about tenant screening, including how to analyze a tenant’s credit report and tenant background check.
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After a prospective tenant reaches out to you, the next step is scheduling a few rental property showings. Showings are the first time you meet prospective tenants, so you’ll want to make a good first impression and find out everything you need to know about the tenant.
In this article, we’ll help you prepare for the showing, including what questions to ask and red flags to look out for.
How to Prepare for a Rental Property Showing
The first step to getting your unit ready is cleaning. This includes dusting, vacuuming, mopping, wiping down counters, and cleaning appliances. If a current tenant lives in the unit, you can offer to pay for a cleaning service before the showings. Tenants appreciate the free clean-up and you can ensure the property is ready for a showing.
The next step is staging. If the unit is vacant and unfurnished, you can show it empty, but it helps prospective tenants imagine themselves living in your unit if there is furniture. One solution is to stage the property with rented furniture.
Luckily, you don’t have to be an interior designer to stage an apartment. Furniture alone can add a lot of aesthetic appeal and helps tenants visualize the space as their home. We recommend avoiding any personal items like photographs. You don’t want to distract the tenant from looking at the actual space.
The day of the showing, you can stage the space further. Make sure all the lights are on, the temperature is appropriate, and it smells pleasant in the unit. A comfortable temperature will depend on the season, but we recommend 70 degrees. Open windows before the showing or a light candle to make sure the atmosphere is pleasant.
And last, be prepared for your showing by knowing your selling points. What rooms will you highlight? How do you plan to walk through the unit? What key points will you make as you are showing each room?
Selling points to highlight (if you have them):
- Big bedroom(s)
- Updated appliances
- Open space
- Beautiful views
- Natural sunlight
- In-unit laundry
- Outdoor recreational areas (rooftops, courtyards, yards)
- Walk-in closets
- Storage
How to Show Your Rental Property
During the showing, tenants need to see all the spaces they have access to. This includes the actual unit, and also common areas, rooftops, basements, laundry rooms, etc. As you guide tenants through the space, avoid steering. Steering is when you direct a tenant to only certain parts of the property. You shouldn’t skip any areas, unless the prospective tenant says you can skip it.
There are two reasons behind this: It’s more helpful to tenants when you show them everything, and you want to avoid liability claims. It can be labeled discriminatory to not show a prospective tenant all areas of the unit.
For more on Fair Housing guidelines during a showing, check out our Guide to Fair Housing Laws.
Similarly, you should avoid commenting on the type of people that live in the building. Stating what type of renters live in the building (families, singles, specific economic status, etc.) could be construed as selecting a certain type of tenant or discriminating against others.
1. Give a Great First Impression of Your Rental Property
It’s important to showcase that you’re a professional, helpful landlord. Be on time, dress well, be prepared to answer questions, clean and prep the space thoroughly, and be prepared to walk tenants through the space with key selling points.
While you want to impress your prospective tenant, it’s also important for the tenant to impress you — they’ll be living in your space, and you’ll be relying on them to pay rent on time and maintain the property.
2. Collect Information From Prospective Tenants by Asking Questions
Asking questions is the best way to collect information from a tenant. A good way to start the conversation is to ask general questions, like where are they from? What do they do for fun? It’s a casual way to find out more about them without jumping right into formal questions.
You may have already asked the questions below during the initial phone call, but it’s worth asking again to see if there are any changes. And if there are changes, take note.
- What is your current living situation?
- Why are you moving?
- When do you plan on moving?
- What is the earliest you can move in?
- Can I ask for references from your former landlords and employer?
- Will you submit a rental application?
- Will you consent to a credit and background check?
- Do you have pets?
- Do you smoke?
- Will you have roommates?
3. Keep Your Questions Consistent
Ask every prospective tenant the same questions. If you ask different tenants different questions, you make yourself vulnerable to a claim that you are violating Fair Housing laws.
4. Provide Information About Your Rental
Be prepared to answer a lot of questions. You should be able to provide the square footage, the monthly rent, the application fee, security deposit, what utilities are included, amenities, your contact information, nearby schools, nearby attractions, the nearest public transportation, etc.
You should also articulate the next steps of the rental process. Tell tenants that after the showing, if they are still interested, they will need to submit a rental application and authorize a credit and background check.
5. Be Firm With Your Rental Requirements
Sometimes, tenants will ask you to be lenient regarding your requirements (the security deposit, application, credit and background check, pets, etc.). It’s usually not a good idea to waive any of your requirements, assuming your requirements are all fair.
If a tenant is reasonably negotiating, you can decide on a case-by-case basis if you will permit their requests.
But if you are aiming to stand firm, we are providing verbiage below to help you explain your requirements:
“I understand you are in a difficult situation, but I have to require these steps. The credit check and background check, the application, and the $55 application fee are all required. I’m sorry I can’t make special amendments.”
It’s critical that you follow the same requirements for every prospective tenant. Here’s are three things professional, smart landlords do:
- They never make a decision during the showing
- They always follow through with their tenant screening process
- They don’t make exceptions for anyone
6. Individual Showings vs. Open Houses
You can schedule individual showings with each tenant, or you can host an open house — but we strongly recommend you meet each tenant individually at a showing. Open houses tend to be a waste of time for you and prospective tenants.
Individual property showings are better because you can provide one-on-one attention, get to know your tenant, and walk them through the property. This gives the tenant a better experience, and it’s good for you, too.
Who Should Get a Rental Application?
If a prospective tenant is still interested and seems like a great fit, move on to the next step, which is requesting a rental application. The rental application process will further determine if a person will be good a tenant.
At this point, you’ll need to find out what should be on the rental application, who should fill it out, and how you should use the information provided by the prospective tenant to help make your decision easier.
Learn more about the rental application process, download our free rental application, or use our free digital rental application.
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The best way to attract a quality tenant at your showing is by representing yourself as a high-quality landlord. Demonstrating your organizational skills, providing clear information, and presenting a clean property will show potential tenants that you are a landlord they want to rent from.
To help you achieve this, we outlined 12 tips to showing your rental property to consider when meeting with prospective tenants.
1. Write a Thorough Listing
The first step in attracting quality tenants at your showing is actually getting them to a showing. To do this, you’ll need a catchy, well-written, and descriptive listing with great photos to impress quality renters and get them interested in viewing your property. Also make sure that any directions to your property are clear and easy to follow.
2. Schedule Individual Property Showings
Landlords commonly believe that scheduling an open house is the best way to market their unit and save time. However, open houses can end up hurting your rental process, instead of helping it.
When you schedule a single time slot for an open house, this can automatically disqualify potential tenants who cannot make it to the showing. What you should do instead is prioritize meeting and screening tenants based on interest. If someone reaches out for a showing and schedules it right away, it’s a good sign that he or she is highly interested. Open houses don’t take that into account.
3. Consider Timing
Think of your property’s best features. Is there great natural light, a spacious yard, or city skyline views? Schedule your showing for the time of day when the property’s best selling points stand out the most. If that’s during the daytime, stick to the weekend; for evening or night showings, choose a weeknight.
Check if there is any construction or renovation planned in the area or building and make sure to avoid those times. Be mindful of maintenance and cleaning schedules; if you know building common areas are vacuumed on Tuesdays, consider Tuesday evening for your showing.
4. Have All Relevant Paperwork Handy
We highly recommend using online applications and leases, so you don’t have to worry about having applications filled out or leases signed at a showing.
You absolutely should still have a print or mobile copy of all application, background, credit, and lease forms handy at the showing. Savvy tenants may ask specifically about the application or lease protocol. You want to be prepared to answer any questions and show them the paperwork that will be expected of them. This gives you a chance to address any questions, concerns, or objections to your application or lease terms up front and shows tenants you’re on top of things.
5. Create Handouts
Demonstrate how organized you are by giving prospective tenants all the relevant facts about your rental property on a handout. Having a thorough handout means tenants have fewer questions and allows you to give them more personal space during the showing — less stress for you, and more inviting for them.
Handouts also provide potential renters a solid take-home piece so they don’t forget the important details, and don’t forget about your property. Your handout should contain all relevant information about your property: lease start date, move-in and move-out fees, security and pet deposits, building rules and policies, and a clear list of what is included in rent.
6. Know All Area Amenities
Even if you or your previous tenants didn’t have pets, children, or cars, future potential tenants might. Research all area amenities so you’re not caught off-guard by specific questions. Quality tenants will definitely be turned off by a landlord who doesn’t have a solid understanding of the neighborhood.
Consider creating short supplemental handouts for people with pets (nearby dog parks, local vets, pet stores, dog walking services), young children (local schools, playgrounds, parks, daycares), and cars or bicycles (parking/storage options and costs). Even if you do not provide written information, you should be able to speak intelligently about local amenities.
7. Decide on Tenant Criteria Beforehand
Quality tenants will expect you to know what you’re looking for in a tenant at the showing. Don’t be caught unprepared for questions about smoking, pets, cosigners, minimum monthly income, credit score, etc.
You need to think through all of your tenant criteria before the showing and know what you will and will not accept. Having your criteria laid out will — and even adding rules to your handout — also helps protect you from accusations of discrimination. Just remember to check your state and local laws to make sure you aren’t adding illegal requirements or restrictions.
8. Keep a Flexible Schedule
When renting your rental property and scheduling property showings, you’ll need to be flexible with meeting times. Most tenants will only be able to see the property after work hours or on the weekend.
While your schedule should be flexible in order to meet interested tenants, you should not be flexible about people being late, within reason.
9. Communicate with Current Tenants
Showings require additional planning and preparation if the apartment is currently occupied. Discuss the potential showing times with the current tenants at least a week in advance. Give plenty of notice and be respectful of tenants’ schedule and plans. It’s better for both you and the tenant to avoid any showings while your tenants have out-of-town guests or the day after hosting a party.
Quality tenants will be turned off by a messy apartment, so kindly ask your current tenants to clean up. Set the expectation that you may tidy up the apartment yourself or with a cleaning crew (make their beds, use their vacuum) and that potential tenants will be looking inside closets and cabinets.
10. Fix, Stage, and Clean
Make sure any maintenance issues in the apartment are addressed before the showing and all appliances are working properly. Even seemingly minor issues, like one leaky faucet or a loose doorknob, can raise concerns in quality tenants. You want to put your best foot forward and show you are an attentive, responsive landlord.
If your property is not occupied, consider staging. Empty rooms appear much smaller than those with furniture, and you want prospective tenants to visualize the space. It should go without saying, but make sure your property is clean before any showing.
If you the unit is occupied, arrive 30 to 60 minutes before your first appointment to prepare. Open windows for some fresh air, take out the trash, vacuum, wipe down windows and counters, and pick up any loose items. You should turn on all lights (bring a few spare light bulbs) and open all blinds for showings.
11. Soft Sell
You’ve diligently prepared and carefully organized everything in your rental property. The current tenants are out for a couple hours, and the property is clean and in great shape. When the prospective tenants arrive, don’t hover over them; it will only make them uncomfortable and won’t give them space to take in the unit. Chime in with interesting details and focus on the best features of your property.
Give personal space while hanging nearby to answer any questions. Instruct them on what next steps would look like and how to apply for the unit in a relaxed way. If you seem desperate or overzealous, potential tenants will be turned off. Be confident and relaxed, and let your property speak for itself.
12. Final Tips on Showing a Property
- How you present yourself makes an impression on prospective tenants too. Take a little extra time to dress up, be prepared with handouts, and always be early for showings.
- Don’t forget the outside of the building. Make sure shrubs are trimmed and that there’s no trash on the lawn or overflowing garbage bins in the alley.
- Be consistent with what you show prospective tenants, and the questions you ask them, to avoid accusations of discrimination. For example, even if someone is in a wheelchair, you still need to show them the recreational areas.
- Also, avoid saying a prospective tenant will “fit in” with the demographic of current residents; this could come off as stereotyping or discrimination.
- It’s good to have a rental application, credit check authorization forms, and other documents on hand, but if you use an app like Avail, you can just ask for a prospect’s email address. You’ll log in later and send them the next steps online, simplifying and speeding up the application process.
For even more tips, check out our ultimate resource on rental property showings, including how to stage your unit.
Learn More about How Avail Helps DIY Landlords
Once you find quality tenants for your unit, it’s time to think about how you’ll effectively manage them. From maintenance requests to rent collection, being a successful landlord is hard work. Avail is here to help landlords post listings across the web, collect rent online, manage maintenance requests, and so much more. Create an account today to begin leveraging landlord software to grow your rental business.
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Every landlord hopes they can generate tenant leads through a rental listing, but the work doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve been contacted by a prospective tenant, the next step is scheduling a virtual or in-person rental property showing to show them the property and get to know them better.
In addition to asking them questions regarding their renting history, there are additional things to look out for when meeting with tenants interested in your property.
7 Things to Look Out For During Rental Property Showings
Rental property showings give you an opportunity to meet with prospective tenants and get a feel on who they are before having them fill out a rental application. To help you feel prepared for each showing, we outlined seven things to keep an eye on when showing your property.
1. The Amount of People at the Property Showing
Even if one person is interested in the property, there may be instances where more than one person shows up during the showing. Although this isn’t something to worry about, it’s advised to ask everyone present if they’ll be applying for the property or simply tagging along to view the property with a friend.
Once you’ve determined who your prospective tenants are in the group, you can direct your questions to them to get a better understanding on what they’re looking for, their rental history, and if it’s a good fit for them.
2. Previous Landlord Issues
The tenant screening process typically includes contacting previous landlords to learn more about an applicant’s renting history, but you can also ask questions during a property showing. You can ask about their previous experience with renting, what they value in a landlord, and if they experienced any property-related issues in the past.
If they have experienced issues with their previous landlord, this could be a great chance to discuss them in-person to give each prospective tenant a fair chance at applying for the rental property.
3. Rushing to Find a Place
There may be times where a tenant needs to relocate to a new property in a few days or a few weeks. This could be due to a sudden job change that requires them to relocate, their original home suddenly being sold by the landlord, or an eviction.
Whatever the reason is, it’s important to understand the situation from both parties’ perspective to fairly screen each person interested in your property.
4. Arriving Late to a Showing
As a landlord, you want your tenants to respect your time and your property. If a person is late to your apartment showing with no notice, then this could be something to keep in mind later on. Good tenants notify landlords on any issues beforehand and not when it’s too late — even during the rental property showing stage of the rental process. However, this should not be the reason to deny an applicant since issues can come up right before a property showing.
5. Hard to Coordinate With
Was the prospective tenant easy to coordinate with? In a perfect world, your tenant would pay on time every month and the apartment would never require any maintenance. But there will be times where you’ll need to coordinate with the tenant to handle maintenance requests, get rent on time, and more.
For that reason, landlords are advised to pay attention to how easy it is to coordinate with them early on since this will be a huge part of the renting process.
6. Unhappy With the Property
Different tenants prefer different types of rental properties, so there may be a chance that they’re unhappy with yours during the initial tour. This is a normal part of the renting process, and can even make it easier to filter through tenant leads early on.
If a prospective tenant is unhappy with the property, you can ask what they’re looking for and see if maybe there’s renovations you can implement in the future to attract more business.
7. Pet-Related Issues
If you allow pets on your rental property, then you’ll most likely come across more than one tenant that owns a pet or two. In addition to asking about the type of pet they own, you can inquire as to whether or not any of their pets have behavioral issues to be aware of.
Are they aggressive towards other dogs? Have they gone through dog training? These are questions that can help you better understand the types of pets they own prior to having them submit an application online.
What Should Landlords Do After a Rental Property Showing?
Once you’ve showed your property to tenants, the next step is having them complete an online rental application to begin the rental background process. Property management platforms like Avail allows landlords to begin the tenant screening process by requiring tenants to complete a rental application, authorize tenant screening reporting, to then populate the results online.
If you’ve requested more than one tenant complete an application, you can also compare them side by side on Avail to help you find your next tenant. A general rule of thumb is finding tenants that meet your criteria, showed genuine interest towards your property, and can afford to pay rent each month.
Other Factors Landlords Should Consider
This will most likely be the first face-to-face meeting with your new tenants. While it’s not an alternative for a thorough on-paper screening process, you still may be able to learn a lot about the tenant and how they may take care of the property, if they’re polite, and how they behave as you show them around.
The best way to increase your chances of finding your next apartment is by conducting both apartment showings and rental applications when sorting through your tenant leads.
Create a Rental Application on Avail
A rental property showing allows you to meet with your prospective tenants and ask questions you need the answers to prior to the application process. Once you’ve met with all your tenant leads, you can create a rental application for free on Avail to help you fill your property.
Create an account to start the process of making renting easier for both you and your tenants.
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