Unfortunately, for most people, asking questions about a potential tenant is quite a problem. They feel embarrassed and often do not know that they have the right to do so. However, you should do it for the safety of your property and money, so ask each tenant candidate questions we have listed below.
1. Why do you want to move and when do you want to start renting?
It is the key question. You don't change your apartment casually, there are usually important reasons behind it. If you ask about them, you will learn more about your potential tenant and you will be able to decide to accept or reject his offer based on reliable knowledge.
Perhaps the contract in the previous apartment simply ended and the landlord did not want to extend it (it is worth asking why), perhaps the reason is the desire to rent a larger or smaller apartment, financial issues, etc. Each answer will give you a better insight into the situation of the person who she would like to live with you.
Remember not to be too trusting
Since this is your property and your money, you have the right to ask for written confirmation of information about his earnings, any debts, as well as previous tenancies. We will write about the details later in this article.
Don't assume that the tenant wants to move in right away
Many landlords wrongly assume that a person looking for an apartment plans to move there immediately, or at the latest within about 2 weeks. They forget to ask this question at the very beginning of the conversation, and then they are irritated that they wasted a lot of time talking to a person who needs a place in, for example, 3 months.
Don't waste your time. Ask a potential tenant as from when the need the apartment during the initial phone conversation/email exchange, after they respond to your advertisement.
Once you know the answer to the first important question, do not hesitate but ask the candidate another one to learn even more and ensure even greater rental security.
2. Do you have a reference letter from the previous landlord?
If your tenant candidate has already rented an apartment or even a room before, information from the previous landlord will be very valuable. You can ask for a written reference from this person, or to contact him to ask about the rental process.
A positive opinion from a previous landlord will not guarantee a hassle-free rental, but it will significantly increase security. On the other hand, if a potential tenant is hesitant and excuses himself from providing references, this should raise a red flag for you.
Don't forget that some people willing to rent your property will not be able to provide you with references because it will simply be their first rental.
Get more security with a financial guarantee
Even if this is the potential tenant's first rental, or they are unable to provide references, remember that by signing a lease agreement on the Rendin platform, you will automatically gain the best protection for your lease in Poland.
With it, you will receive a guarantee of rent payment and compensation for the debt on the premises, as well as for any damage or destruction that may be caused by the tenant. The Rendin financial guarantee is 10x greater than the amount of your monthly rent and protects you much better than a security deposit.
3. For how long did you rent your previous apartment?
Probably every landlord counts on a trouble-free and long relationship with the new tenant. Asking about his previous rentals will help you find out whether he lived in previously rented premises for a long time or whether he changed them often.
When asking this question, you may find out, for example, that the potential tenant terminated previous contracts early. This information is a warning that even if you rent your apartment, the tenant may decide during the contract that he no longer wants to continue the contract.
4. How many people will live with you? This is an extremely important question.
It sometimes happens that the lease agreement does not provide information on how many people can be roommates of the main tenant. The landlord may then be surprised to discover that the number of residents in his premises is greater than he expected.
If the rental agreement includes the names and surnames of all roommates, as well as the need for the property owner's consent for other people to move in, you will have more control over the lease, because breaking this provision is a reason to terminate the agreement due to the tenant's fault.
Occasional rental? Collect statements from each tenant.
In the case of occasional rental agreement, make sure that you have received a notarial declaration of voluntary submission to enforcement from EACH of the adult tenants.
Without them, if an eviction occurs, the bailiff will be able to legally remove only those people from whom you received a document confirming that they voluntarily agree to the eviction.
We change the rental industry
In Poland, the rental laws favor the tenants, even in cases of fraud. At Rendin, we champion fairness for both parties! Our solution supports equitable rental relationships by providing landlords with:
5. What do you do for a living?
This question may seem unnecessary at first, but it allows you to obtain a lot of information from the potential tenant. We will find out not only what position a given person works in, but also who his employer is, and perhaps also what education he has.
It can also be an introduction to a conversation, especially if the landlord feels embarrassed and does not want to start with a discussion about money. After all, the relationship between a property owner and a tenant includes rent, which is a financial element.
So you shouldn't be afraid of such questions. A potential tenant who has a stable source of income (regardless of whether he works under an employment contract, a civil law contract, has a business, etc.) will probably be happy to tell you how he earns money. The consequence of this question should be another one.
6. What are your monthly earnings and source of income?
It is probably the question that landlords fear the most. Unnecessarily. In Western countries it is completely normal, and in Poland it is also slowly becoming a standard during the conversation before signing the lease agreement.
You should ask your tenant to provide proof of income, and you have every right to do so. This may be in the form of an employment contract, a certificate from the employer, but also an account statement showing incoming transfers to the bank account of the candidate for a tenant.
What about GDPR? Nothing. You will receive all this information only if the potential tenant voluntarily agrees to provide it. Of course, he doesn't have to do this, but on the other hand, you don't have to sign a lease agreement with him or her. Treat the refusal to prove the source and amount of income as a very clear red flag.
How much should a tenant earn so that the landlord does not worry about the monthly rent?
The optimal minimum salary recommended by Rendin for a tenant is twice the full rental cost. We present this in the example below. Mrs. Karolina intends to rent her apartment in Krakow. He wants to receive PLN 3,000 per month. The rent he pays to the administration is PLN 600, and the electricity, water and internet fees are another PLN 400.
7. Do you smoke?
Smoking is one of the most common habits in Poland. We write about it because it also has a negative impact on the rooms where smoking occurs. Cigarette smoke penetrates deep into the walls, and after some time it is difficult and expensive to remove it.
An additional problem with smokers is that they often smoke on balconies and in common parts of the building, e.g. in stairwells, which can be very inconvenient for neighbors and result in complaints against your tenant to the administration.
Therefore, if the person with whom you want to sign a lease agreement smokes, it is best to include provisions in the agreement prohibiting smoking (including electronic cigarettes) in the premises, including on the balcony and in the common areas of the building.
Violation of this prohibition may be a reason for the landlord to terminate the contract early due to the tenant's fault.
7. Do you smoke?
Smoking is one of the most common habits in Poland. We write about it because it also has a negative impact on the rooms where smoking occurs. Cigarette smoke penetrates deep into the walls, and after some time it is difficult and expensive to remove it.
An additional problem with smokers is that they often smoke on balconies and in common parts of the building, e.g. in stairwells, which can be very inconvenient for neighbors and result in complaints against your tenant to the administration.
Therefore, if the person with whom you want to sign a lease agreement smokes, it is best to include provisions in the agreement prohibiting smoking (including electronic cigarettes) in the premises, including on the balcony and in the common areas of the building.
Violation of this prohibition may be a reason for the landlord to terminate the contract early due to the tenant's fault.
7. Do you smoke?
Smoking is one of the most common habits in Poland. We write about it because it also has a negative impact on the rooms where smoking occurs. Cigarette smoke penetrates deep into the walls, and after some time it is difficult and expensive to remove it.
An additional problem with smokers is that they often smoke on balconies and in common parts of the building, e.g. in stairwells, which can be very inconvenient for neighbors and result in complaints against your tenant to the administration.
Therefore, if the person with whom you want to sign a lease agreement smokes, it is best to include provisions in the agreement prohibiting smoking (including electronic cigarettes) in the premises, including on the balcony and in the common areas of the building.
Violation of this prohibition may be a reason for the landlord to terminate the contract early due to the tenant's fault.
7. Do you smoke?
Smoking is one of the most common habits in Poland. We write about it because it also has a negative impact on the rooms where smoking occurs. Cigarette smoke penetrates deep into the walls, and after some time it is difficult and expensive to remove it.
An additional problem with smokers is that they often smoke on balconies and in common parts of the building, e.g. in stairwells, which can be very inconvenient for neighbors and result in complaints against your tenant to the administration.
Therefore, if the person with whom you want to sign a lease agreement smokes, it is best to include provisions in the agreement prohibiting smoking (including electronic cigarettes) in the premises, including on the balcony and in the common areas of the building.
Violation of this prohibition may be a reason for the landlord to terminate the contract early due to the tenant's fault.