Southwestern Management And Realty Team

2 Proven Tactics to Reduce Eviction Rates

According to a recent study regarding real estate markets in the southwest U.S., the demand for rental properties has increased by 5% over the past year while the average monthly rent has risen nearly 9% during that same period. While these statistics may cause landlords and property investors to celebrate, other industry statistics might lead them to postpone their celebrating. Here are a few considerations to be aware of where this particular discussion is concerned.

To begin with, despite that 9% increase in average rental rates, that rate is climbing much quicker than many individual’s incomes. This implies that adjusting monthly rental rates to the demand could create an extremely limited amount of qualified prospective tenants. Research has clearly shown that 30% of the average American’s monthly income goes towards paying their rent. As a result, we are seeing increasingly fewer applicants who are able to qualify for rental properties.

Furthermore, national rental market trends clearly indicate that increasing numbers of renters are only a paycheck away from getting evicted. This forces them into a situation where they have to find roommates to share the rent with them in order to make ends meet, even if it means breaking their lease agreement. The downside is that this puts the landlord or property investor at risk because those roommates are not screened thoroughly and therefore not approved to reside there.

Fortunately for landlords and property investors in the Las Vegas area, these statistics aren’t as discouraging as they sound. Rent-to-income ratios have remained relatively stable which means taking extreme action is not always necessary. Nonetheless, the issue with evictions is evidence that suggests that landlords and property investors need to take this issue more seriously. There are two proven tactics that could lead to reduced eviction rates:

  • Perform a rigorous, more in-depth screening of all applicants to ensure that their income to debt ratios will not hinder their ability to pay their rents on time.
  • Re-evaluate the rental rates in the neighborhoods where your properties are located to ensure that they are priced competitively and will not deter renters from applying.

These two tactics may just lay the foundation for ensuring that your properties will stay occupied and your tenant retention rates improve. Just keep in mind that the best screening processes require a great deal of due diligence and legwork, unlike in the past, when income was all that mattered. In addition to the screening process becoming more time-consuming, the average number of phone calls regarding affordably priced vacancies has increased significantly.

There are many areas where individuals have begun to think in terms of smaller, more cost-effective properties to rent. This means that landlords and property investors who were struggling to find good quality renters at one time can be much more competitive.

Make the “SMART” Choice with Southwestern Management And Realty Team

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SMART Rental Qualifications

The following are Southwestern Management And Realty Team’s (SMART) guidelines for renting a property through SMART. Each and every application will be reviewed by a member of SMART and could be adjusted depending on credit/income and the application itself. Please be truthful!

Rental Qualifications

  • Applicant MUST be 18 years or older and application fee is $65.00 per person and is non-refundable.

Credit

  • Minimum score of 650
  • No EVICTIONS in the past 5 years
  • No utility collections (gas, power, water)

Income Verification

  • Income MUST be 3 times the monthly rent for good credit 650+ and 4 times if applicant has poor credit but good income.
  • MUST be verifiable
  • MUST be with current employer for at least 6 months.
    **If self-employed—CPA financial statements and/or tax returns are acceptable.

Employment History

(you could be required to show proof if requested, paycheck stubs, etc.)

  • Verifiable employment history for the past 3 years
    **If self-employed/retired/not employed—can verify income with signed tax returns and/or bank statements.

Rental History Verification

  • Verify for the past 3 years
  • Must provide: Landlord Names, and phone number, email (if available) on the online application.

Criminal Background Check

SMART does check—Criminal, Sex Offender and Terrorist database

  • NO sex offenders
  • NO crimes—violent crimes, prostitution, domestic violence, possession of weapons or illegal drugs

Pets

MUST be 30 pounds & under & absolutely no violent breeds—ask SMART for the Pet Policy

  • 2 pets max
  • NO ferrets or snakes
  • NO Dangerous, poisonous or illegal pets
  • NO aquariums larger than 10 gallons

Emotional Support pets are NOT considered a Service Animal and not under ADA laws.

SERVICE ANIMALS ARE OF COURSE ACCEPTED AND WILL REQUIRE THE PROPER GOVERNMENT ISSUED DOCUMENTATION.