When it comes to rental properties, the right tenant selection isn’t just filling a vacancy. Owners also have to protect the long-term health of their investment. The right tenant can make ownership feel effortless. The wrong one? Not so much. We’ve learned from the first interactions that people will show you exactly what type of tenants they’ll be in your rental property.
It Starts With Courtesy
At Marblestone Property Group, we pay attention to how prospective tenants interact with our team. Are they respectful and courteous or dismissive and demanding? Do they ask questions or make demands? Tone says as much, if not more, than their actual words.
Someone polite, organized, and respectful during the application process is more likely to carry those habits into their behavior as a tenant. Someone impatient, rude, or nonresponsive? Likely a sign of future headaches.
Screening Beyond the Surface
Background checks, credit scores, and income verification are essential, but they only tell part of the story. After over a decade in Chicago property management, we’ve learned to factor a tenant’s attitude and communication style into decisions.
For example, some key behaviors we watch for:
- Prompt, respectful communication
- Willingness to follow procedures
- Asking clarifying questions instead of issuing ultimatums
- A general sense of responsibility
These small interactions can signal how seriously someone will take their responsibilities as a tenant.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Placing the wrong tenant can lead to more than just a messy apartment; it can also result in significant financial losses. Think missed payments, noise complaints, damaged property, and the expensive, drawn-out process of an eviction in Chicagoland. That’s why it’s crucial to look for signs early on and trust your gut when something feels off.
It’s More Than Filling a Vacancy
Every lease is a relationship. MPG chooses the people we want to work with. They should be the kind of people who respect the space, the lease agreement, and everyone involved. At MPG, the goal isn’t just occupancy of rental units. It’s long-term success, peace of mind, and the kind of stability that comes from having the right people in the right places. Looking for smarter, tenant placement? Contact us. We’re here to help.