Qualities of Excellent Prospective Tenants

Room for rent sign

Photo by Alex Block on Unsplash

Staten Island native Hassam Khan possesses a diverse background in organic retail, transportation, and real estate. Since 2013, Hassam Khan has vetted tenants for properties across Staten Island, New York City, and New Jersey.

Landlords and property managers assess prospective tenants with several criteria, including their financial stability and character. While landlords can develop their own standards to screen potential renters, there are some near-universal qualities landlords look for. For example, most property owners require a high income to monthly rent ratio. 

Renters have a better chance of securing an apartment if their income is 40 to 50 times the rent. Landlords may also request a credit or criminal background check to verify identity and get a sense of the applicant’s social and financial behavior. Ideally, prospective tenants should have a score of at least 650 with no history of violent behavior. To get a more personal perspective, some landlords will also ask for a letter of recommendation.