(Objective 4: Increase readiness and confidence in securing rental property.)
Suggested Introduction: During the time spent inspecting rental units, the potential tenant can use this opportunity to decide if he/she will be comfortable establishing and maintaining a business relationship with a particular landlord/property manager. Doing so will give tenants insights into landlord/property manager customer service style, and help them choose buildings where repairs are dealt with quickly and in a professional manner.
There are many types of landlords/property managers, from professional companies managing a large number of units to homeowners renting a duplex. Each may have a different style of management that may or may not match the lifestyle of the tenant. Most, but not all, landlords/managers are professional, competent, and use good rental practices. Tenants should learn about the landlord/property manager before they rent.
When someone applies for rental housing, the landlord/property manager takes steps to verify the information provided on the application. He or she may contact your current or previous landlord/property manager for a reference, order a credit report, and run a criminal background check.
While the landlord/property manager is obtaining information about you, it is important for you to seek information about this individual.
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Provide Handout 6: Interviewing Landlords/Property Managers.
OPTIONAL: Ask participants to find a partner. In partners, ask them to determine who will be the landlord/property manager and the tenant to role-play. The individual who will be the tenant can interview the landlord/property manager using the list of questions on Handout 6: Interviewing Landlords/Property Managers. After five minutes switch roles and ask other questions on the sheet.
Following completion of the interviews, ask participants to respond to the following questions.
- Does this individual listen to the questions you ask and provide sufficient answers?
- Were you treated respectfully?
- If probing questions were asked, did you consider them to be appropriate or were they intrusive?
- Do you feel that you could maintain a business relationship with this individual?
- How comfortable did you feel while interviewing the landlord/property manager?
- What did you learn in your conversation with this individual?
- What types of questions did you find most helpful in obtaining information from the landlord/tenant?
Discuss other sources of information that can be helpful when a prospective tenant wants to learn more about a landlord/property manager.
- CCAP stands for Consolidated Court Automation Programs in Wisconsin. This site provides public access to Wisconsin Circuit Court Records.
- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is the state’s primary consumer protection agency. The Bureau of Consumer Protection has broad authority to regulate unfair business practices. This state agency handles landlord/tenant issues.
- Housing or building inspectors in the community where you are looking to rent may have information regarding issues of repairs not being made by the landlord/property manager.
- Local public safety departments may track number of calls made to rental properties in the community.
Advise participants that if they find negative information about a landlord/property manager from one source, it does not mean the person is a bad landlord. It does mean that the information should be investigated further to ensure accuracy.
OPTIONAL: Ask a landlord/property manager to attend this session and be interviewed by participants.
