We Need to Work Together

One of the reasons to belong to the Central Illinois Apartment Association is to benefit from the relationships. An organization of landlords and property owners can work together in many ways, one of which is using each other as references.

Most landlords require a prospective tenant to submit an application prior to approval and occupancy. Professional landlords will consider the rental application information critical to the approval process. High on the scale of value of application information is who the current and past landlord is. By contacting the current and past landlord the professional property manager will find out key information regarding the prospective tenant’s desire to pay rent, take care of the property and reside without conflict with neighbors.

Recently our office had to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, high traffic (in and out of the unit) complaints by neighbors and constant trouble of one kind or another. Upon discovering where the evicted tenant moved to, we contacted the local landlord and asked how he could be approved by them (one of the largest landlords in the C-U area) under the circumstances? We also asked why they had not contacted us for a reference. We were told he did not list a current landlord on his application! They made their decision based upon a recommendation by a local agency that helps tenants (on a temporary basis) pay their rent when they are about to be evicted.

It is hard to imagine approving a prospective tenant without running a credit check (that would show current and past addresses), verifying employment and talking to the current and previous landlord. These are the tools of our trade. When we do not use our tools our odds of failure increase exponentially.

When landlords do not rely on each other for key information when deciding on leasing property to tenants we miss out on the most important part of associating together. Think of it this way, the tenants in C-U have a tenant’s union and they do work closely together. Does it not make sense that we act as professionally as our tenants?

1. 

   randy says:

   May 9, 2010 at 10:30 am

   I agree totally. You are a very smart man. I wish there were more people like you on our planet. Keep up the good work.

   reply