We might be moving in the next couple of months and we are looking to rent out our current house. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me. I've never done this before and it's very last minute. We do have someone interested in it.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any advice for me.

Thanks!
Lori

I always say that when the time comes and I have rental property I will do a drive by of the current residence to see if the the outside is kept clean. I would also knock on the door and have some paper that needed to be signed so I could get a look at the inside of the place too. What looks good on paper is often not a good renter in reality. I would also check to ensure that the "former landlords" actually own the property listed. People often get their friends lie about being their former landlord.
I would also have a paragraph in the rental contract requiring immediate notice of anything that could damage the property in a permanent way such as leaks, floods, dry rot, fire, etc. Also make it a requirement that garbage service and utilities are always kept current. Make it clear what the expectations are with everything from yard maintenance to inspections, which you or an agent should do at least three times a year in different seasons. Check your homeowner's insurance to see if it will still cover the property as a rental.
Do you want to allow pets? An above ground swimming pool? A veggie garden? Will they be allowed to paint inside or out? No cars on the lawn?
Depending on the neighborhood and size of the home you may want to restrict the number or residents or vehicles as well as other things some of which I've mentioned above.
Make sure your neighbors keep you informed of possible illegal activities, garbage piling up, etc.

I would not rent to a friend or relative simply to avoid any misunderstandings, arguments, etc.

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Wow, what an informative post!

We might be in a position soon where we will have to rent out our house and your suggestions are going to be VERY helpful to us.

In fact, if we end up having to rent another house in another location ourselves, your suggestions will come in handy.

Wish I had a printer to print out your post - LOL.

Great post with info already!

I would also suggest a background check. It's not that pricey and worth it. My brother rents out rooms in his house (he lives there as well). He has had 2 people move in and then I found them on the sexual predators list and he had to kick them out (he had asked about criminal history and they both lied). In my brothers case, both were from out of state beforehand and moving to the area. The local sex pred. site did not list them (because they didn't live here) but a background check would have found it. You don't want to be surprised to find out that kind of info (especially if you are in a neighborhood with a lot of kids).

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Great post Anna again and wonderful tips for anyone who will decide to rent out their home, I especially love your last sentence about renting to friends and family that never ever works out. It could lead to hurt feelings and an argument and then not talking to someone we cared about and loved, we should never mix the two as least for me personally. Good luck to the Op and hope all works out for you. Peace. Catherine

My daughter has rented a house in Mesa for years and lives here with us in the St. Louis area. It's not easy. One easier way is perhaps to get a real estate agent to handle it. My brother did that for a house he owns in Tenn. and it went pretty well until they moved out a few months ago and they have had no luck in getting new renters yet.

If you decide to not use a real estate agent, a background check is must.

You do have to decide on all the things they can and can't do to the property. Make sure it's in the lease. Pets, children, painting, repairs, lawn care, tree and shrub trimming, general maintenance, late fees for late rent, etc.

Laws in every state are different and may be different from town to town. Check yours to see if they favor the renter or the owner. There are places where it takes a stick of dynamite to get renters out if they don't want to go.

Find out what houses rent for in your location. You need to get a deposit up front plus a minimum of first months rent. They should also pay for the background check. The deposit might vary depending on pets, kids, etc. Find out exactly who will be living in the house. Names, places of employment, contact number of a relative, etc. (this is for all occupants). The person signing the lease also needs employment and salary verification, you want to see last year's income tax forms. You want to talk to, but take with a large grain of salt any references. The references may be bogus. If you are local it's easier to check the references out personally.

Take pictures of the empty house, showing the condition of walls, carpets, appliances etc. before they move in. You can't have too many pictures. They should be date stamped as well.

If a renter is late, call them, and start eviction proceedings when you get off the phone with them. Learn how to do that first. It might cost you a small fee, but the longer you wait, the longer it is before you can get them out. If they come up with the rent, then no harm done, cancel it. You could also put in the lease that they are to pay any filing fees as well as a very hefty late fee when they are late. The late fee should be enough to get their attention. $40 a day or something like that. Check locally with other landlords and see what they charge.

It's been a while since I've given this much thought, so I'm sure there are things I've forgotten to mention. Good luck!

A good friend of mine rents several houses. She said the first thing she looks at is how they keep their car! (the inside). She said most of the time if they have a messy, junky car inside, then that's the way they'll keep her house.

Also, if it were me, I wouldn't allow pets at all. People say 'oh, our little dog is housetrained' and then you go in after they move out and the house reeks of urine. My friend said one time she came in to fix something and the house smelled of dog poop and urine. She discovered they were using one of the bedrooms as a dog room, housing a dog and her puppies (and no newspaper or covering on the carpet at all)!

The first post said most everything. Just be careful who you rent to. Definitely a credit check and references.

I think it is unfair to turn someone away if their credit is not good. When I rented my last house years ago, my credit score was low. I had been through some trouble many years prior, but I always paid my rent.....we needed a place to live, so it was always paid first. I am glad my landlord at the time did not hold it against me.

I also would not have, as a renter, paid for a background check. I think if you want that, then you should pay for it. I, as a renter had as many problems from the landlord as you expect from a tenant, so be prepared for the same investigation and protection to come from the renter.

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