Landlords, what are you using for tenant screening?

[motion]

I've used mrlandlord.com for many, many years, but they've changed things up recently and I need to go with a new solution. I tried one a few months ago that required tenant confirmation of the credit pull, and it was a huge hassle. Just digging into it again, as I have a new vacancy. Any recommendations?

[recycled sixtie]

I keep it simple. I ask the prospective tenant(s) for references from their friends, banks etc. By interviewing prospective tenants I can tell pretty much the kind of people they are. Smokers? I turn them down. With our building being over 50 year old minimum there are less crazy people. Our lease agreement is restrictive too....
Guy

[LakeCleElum]

I use a local realty company Property Management Service:

Windermere Real Estate

For one months rent, they advertise, show, background/credit check, write the contract, collect the deposit and 1st months rent. I take over from there.

What I don't do is use them full time. They want 10% to collect the rent, and schedule repairs. Every year they want 1/2 mo. rent to write a contract renewal.

I either do repairs myself or find it done much cheaper. Contract renewal is a 2 paragraph letter extending the old contract. That takes me 10 minutes.

At the end of the day, it's well worth it for what they do to get a new tenant moved in. The house is 100 miles away - I can't run back and forth to show it 10 times, etc.