TIP OF THE WEEK
for the week of June 8, 2009
VERIFYING EMPLOYMENT OF RENTAL APPLICANTS Here are just a couple of tips when attempting to verify employment of rental applicants. 1) Always look up employer's phone number in phone book or online. Don't just go with the number that is on the application. Call the "verified" number for the employer and ask for Human Resources or ask if so and so works there and to speak with his/her supervisor. Same for verifying rental history for that matter. Look up the phone number of the property owner or manager yourself. Unfortunately some applicants will give you number of family member or friend who will then lie for them.
2) Take time to analyze the paystubs. There is usually a place on the pay stubs that gives "Year-to-date" (YTD) amounts. Based on the YTD calculations, confirm that the applicant's total income for the year would indicate that they have been employed at their current job from at least the very beginning of this year.
3) Talk at length with the applicant ABOUT their job. Ask all sorts of questions about what they do, how they like it, how they got into it, etc. This dialogue normally flushes out any issues or red flags and most applicants actually love to talk about themselves if given the opportunity. If you have nevr joined us on one of our annual Landlord Getaway Cruise Conferences, do what you can to join us on the next one as we celebrate our 20th Annual Cruise Conference. Click here to learn more about this awesome event.
Share your landlording or management tips with us, and if we share your tip on our web site, we will give you a free six-month subscription to the MR. LANDLORD on-line version of the newsletter that will be emailed to you each month. Send your tips to editor@mrlandlord.com. 
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