How Salvan Selects Tenants

Renting a property as a tenant is a major event in life, this is the house or unit that will become a home, where the tenant will spend at least 12 months, relaxing watching TV, eating, sleeping and entertaining family and friends.
It’s important to select the right property to suit all your needs and equally important is having a good relationship with the property managers looking after the property on behalf of the owner/property investor.

Here is the criteria property managers from Salvan use when selecting a tenant:

A Secure Financial Position

When applying to be a tenant for a property, think of it like a bank loan, the same criteria will apply.
Does the prospective person/persons have the capacity to pay the rent each fortnight and on time?
Does the tenant have a sound job with good references? If not employed, can the tenant show they have paid the same or higher rental amount on time previously, with at least recent 6 months supporting bank statements?

People who own investment properties often have a mortgage, and must pay the home loan, council rates, insurance etc. so it’s important the rent can be paid by the prospective tenant on time and in full.

Past History Is A Good Indication Of Future Action

One of the first things property managers from Salvan Property Management look for when selecting Tenants on behalf of property investors are the contact details of the previous property manager or landlord.
The property manager for that property will ring these references to find out if the rent was paid on time, what kind of tenant the applicant was and if there were any breach notices issued?
As a tenant it’s very important you maintain a good payment history, as this likely affects your credit rating for the future and also take care of the property while you are responsible for it.
If you’re constantly late, you create extra work for your property manager who has to chase you up.

Reliability & Honesty

If you make an appointment to inspect a property you’re interested in renting, be there on time or early, as this builds a good impression and it’s true that people judge you within the first 10 seconds of meeting you, so first impressions count.
If you progress to application stage, make sure your application is completed in full with all the relevant information. This shows the property manager you’re keen and well organised. Don’t lie or inflate your income, property managers will ring your references and confirm your employment. Property managers from Salvan Property Management will also check you against the national tenancy database so if you have some previous negative history it’s better to be upfront, honest by letting your prospective property manager know about it.

Good Communication Skills

If you enquire online about a property and the agent phones you back to discuss your suitability, be confident and show interest in the property. Respond quickly to emails or phone calls requesting more information for your application. If successful, and have a maintenance issue, be readily contactable, be rational; not emotional and don’t demand or threaten.
Cooperation on all sides of the fence is key to a great relationship with your property manager and when moving on, will earn you a great reference for the next property you would like to rent.

Keeping The Property Clean

If you did not receive your full bond back on the last property you rented, it’s probably due to not keeping the place clean, or because of damage to the property that you have not had fixed.
If past property managers have noted they walked into a dirty property that smelt, during a routine inspection, it will reflect poorly on you, and a new property manager will be reluctant to experience the same!
Property managers and property investors love clean people who will keep the property clean and tidy! If you would like to be a long term tenant, make sure the property is always kept clean. This will also help to keep the rent as low as possible and will make your property manager keen to help you with any issues you may have.
By following these 5 simple tips, you will go a long way to building a great relationship with your property manager, and set you up well with future property managers should you decide to move on.

Natalie Salvati (Principal of Salvan Property Management) is a registered Real Estate Agent (RLA 276287) with over 25 years experience looking after metropolitan Adelaide rental properties.