Ask experienced landlords what causes the most stress—tenant problems are almost always at the top of the list: rent arrears, damage to the apartment, or conflicts that drag on for months. The good news: most of these problems can be avoided through careful vetting before prevent the signing of the lease agreement. This is what it looks like in practice.

Start the income verification

A simple rule of thumb: The net cold rent should not exceed about one-third of the tenant's net income. Ask for recent payslips or proof of income, and do not hesitate to ask questions if something seems inconsistent.

Obtain a Schufa credit report

A Schufa report gives you a quick, objective overview of a potential tenant's payment history. It doesn't tell you everything, but it is an essential baseline check that takes the guesswork out of the decision.

Requesting references – and actually following up

References from previous landlords are valuable, but only if you actually call and ask specific questions: Was the rent paid on time? Was the apartment well-maintained? Was communication straightforward? A brief telephone conversation often reveals more than any document.

Get to know tenants personally

A short conversation during a viewing reveals a lot – about communication style, reliability, and the seriousness of the interest. It does not replace a formal check, but it is a useful additional signal.

Recognize warning signs – don't just see green lights

Inconsistent documentation, hesitation in providing references, or pressure to skip standard checks („I'll pay a higher deposit if we omit the credit check“) are signs to slow down—not to speed up.

Why this is more important than it seems

A thorough vetting process takes a bit more time upfront – but it is far less burdensome than payment disputes, arbitration proceedings, or an eviction process afterward. Prevention is simply cheaper than the alternative.

Let someone else do the work

Properly screening tenants requires structure, consistency, and quite a bit of time—three things most landlords lack. That is precisely the process we perform for landlords every day so that you get a qualified tenant without having to conduct the screening yourself.

Would you like reliable tenants without having to do the screening yourself? Get in touch – we handle everything from start to finish.