There are a lot more Americans with a criminal record than you might have realized. Across the US, approximately 80 million have one, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Such a statistic can be unsettling when looking over tenants for a vacation rental in Gatlinburg, TN. Who knows what that friendly face could be hiding, and what they're capable of. For this reason and others, screening guests for vacation rentals is a must.
Of course, that's easier said than done. So to get you started, we'll discuss tenant screening techniques like:
- Prioritizing past reviews
- Ignoring non-verified profiles
- Paying attention to correspondence
Vacation rental management can be stressful with trusting strangers. So with the guest verification tips in this article, you'll be better equipped to choose between them.
Screening Guests for Vacation Rentals with Past Reviews
One of the easiest guest verification tips is built into your renting platform reviews. Most short-term rental platforms allow owners to put reviews on previous tenants. Don't ignore these reviews in a rush to get occupants.
Just a quick perusal of how a person behaved with past property owners will speak volumes. Screening guests for vacation rentals with reviews means looking out for:
- Combative tendencies
- History of trashing places
- Prolonged post-occupancy disputes
- Rude or uncooperative behavior
Their behavior may be inconsistent yet still indicative that they're not right for your place. For example, they may have generally good reviews with a few really bad ones. Whatever the case, reviews make for a dead simple and effective way to screen rental applicants.
Prioritize Profile Verification
These days, it's easy for someone to fake their information, especially those who have been banned from a renting platform for past bad behavior. Therefore, give special treatment to profiles that have been verified.
If there is no built-in verification system for your platform, then consider making your own with the help of a property manager. You could, for example, require an official government ID before finalizing a booking. Having a copy of this information will be vital in conducting further research, like checking sexual offender registries.
According to AirDNA, Gatlinburg has almost 17,000 short-term rentals, which means there are a ton of strangers visiting Tennessee every day. Know exactly who they are before opening your doors.
Use Communication as a Tool
At the end of the day, sometimes a bad egg of a renter becomes obvious during your correspondence. You'll be doing a fair bit of communication before the tenant arrives. Use this time to your advantage.
When chatting, take note of:
- How responsive they are
- What things they imply
- Any strange things they say
Let's be clear here: Your gut feeling matters. If something seems off or doesn't sit right with you, don't ignore it. Sometimes it's best to forfeit a booking just to be safe.
Get Vacation Rental Management Help
Screening guests for vacation rentals takes some work, but it's worth keeping problem people out of your property. Pay special attention to reviews. Use your platform's verification system to your advantage, as well as your gut feeling during communication.
PMI Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN, has received continual five-star customer reviews for three years and counting. That alone proves we treat our customers -- and their properties -- right. Get a free consultation and become part of our happy family.
