Tenant Screening: Tips for Evaluating Prospective Renters in Boca Raton
Florida PMServices • November 15, 2019
Screening tenants is an important part of the leasing process, and it’s not something that should be ignored or rushed. If you end up placing the wrong tenant because you didn’t have the time or resources to screen well, you could find yourself chasing down unpaid rent or paying to repair a damaged property once those tenants move out.
The goal is to find a responsible tenant who will pay rent on time, take care of the home, and faithfully follow the terms of your lease. To find that tenant, you need to be willing to screen your applicants thoroughly. We have some tips that may help.
Applications and Fair Housing
You’ll need to provide an application for anyone who is 18 years of age or older and planning to live in the property. The application will gather all of the prospective renter’s information and grant you permission to do a background check. Make sure you use an application that’s legal in Florida. Use the same application form for everyone and be consistent in your screening process. It’s easy to make a fair housing mistake during the screening process, and that is an error you absolutely want to avoid.
National Criminal and Eviction Checks
Start by checking for things that would disqualify an applicant immediately. A history of violent felonies, for example, or an eviction in the last year or two will show up when you do the proper national checks.
Credit History and Financials
Check your prospective tenant’s credit. If there’s a threshold that an applicant needs to meet, make sure you disclose that early in the process. We think that credit scores aren’t as important as credit history. Someone can have a low credit score because of student loan debts or medical bills. Look instead at areas of concern, such as debts and judgments owed to former landlords. You don’t want to see a pattern of bankruptcies or a trend of utilities not being paid.
Verify Income and Employment
It’s important to know your tenant can afford the rent. Ask for income verification. You can get this directly from the employer or you can ask for pay stubs. If an applicant is self-employed, look at tax returns or bank statements. The best practices indicate your tenant should earn at least three times the monthly rent.
Talk to Current and Former Landlords
Checking landlord references is really important. These people have actually dealt with your prospective tenant previously. They can be great resources. Ask if rent was paid on time, if the tenant had pets, and if the security deposit
was returned in full. Talk about any communication issues and whether there was damage. Always ask if they’d rent to that particular tenant again. If they say yes, you’re probably going to have a good experience.
Make sure your screening process is thorough and complete. If you need any help screening potential Boca Raton tenants, please contact us
at Florida Property Management Services. We have a lot of experience with screening, and we’d be happy to help.
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Welcome to this month’s Investor Newsletter. With market conditions varying widely from one metro to the next, staying informed has never been more important. This edition dives into the shift away from a one-size-fits-all housing market, highlights the hidden value of assumable mortgages, and covers the SFR headlines worth watching this month. Let’s dive in! The Death of the “National Housing Market”: Why Local Knowledge Is the New Investor Edge For years, real estate investors could rely on a familiar narrative: the housing market is hot or the market is cooling. But in 2026, that headline is becoming less and less applicable as there is no longer just one housing market. Instead, there are thousands of local markets moving at different speeds. At the national level, housing appears more balanced than it has in years. According to Realtor.com’s Housing Market Report , April contract signings rose 4.5% year over year, while new listings reached their highest level since 2022. 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What exactly is an assumable mortgage? Instead of getting a brand-new loan, the buyer takes over (or “assumes”) the seller’s existing mortgage, including the current interest rate, remaining balance, and loan terms. Not all loans qualify, but many FHA, VA, and USDA loans do, while most conventional loans do not. Who can use this? Real estate investors, homebuyers, and sellers can all benefit. For investors, assumable loans can be attractive when today’s interest rates are much higher than the seller’s existing loan rate. On the other side, it can also be used as a major selling point. Where can investors find this? Assumable mortgages can be found nationwide, but availability depends on the financing already attached to the property. Most conventional bank loans have a "due-on-sale" clause, which means they cannot be assumed. When is the best time to use this? These loans become especially valuable when current mortgage rates are much higher than rates from previous years. Assuming a mortgage at 3% instead of getting a new loan at 7% could dramatically reduce monthly payments for investors. Why does this matter? As a buyer, an assumable mortgage can help improve cash flow, lower financing costs, and make a property more attractive to future buyers. As a seller, it acts as a massive marketing tool. Offering a built-in low interest rate allows your property to stand out. Investor Takeaway: A low-rate assumable mortgage can be a valuable opportunity when buying AND a strong selling feature when it’s time to exit an investment. SFR Trending Headlines Stay Up to Date on the Hottest SFR News & Stories Are Single-Family Rentals Climbing While Apartments Slump? The Summer Pause : Why Zillow Says the Housing Recovery Just Hit a Wall Lizzo Offloads Her Beverly Hills Compound at a Massive $4M Discount Wall Street Is Betting $15 Billion on a Brand-New Wave of Housing Supply Why Ellen DeGeneres Just Listed Her $30M Eco-Farmhouse and Left for the UK Rate Update: We've Partnered with LendingOne to Bring You The Best DSCR Rates & Terms! DSCR Loan Advantages: Rates Often Lower Than Banks No Personal Income Requirement No Tax Returns Needed Not Reported on Credit Faster Closing Times Specialized Loans for Investors Only! To Inquire about Single Family Investor loans by email us at office@properties.rent Until Next Month! The Florida Property Management Services Team
Florida HB 803 is a new law that exempts certain residential construction work valued under $7,500 from building permit requirements, effective July 1, 2026. This law aims to simplify the permitting process and reduce delays for small home improvement projects. Resources: Florida House Adam & Reese Attorneys Overview of Florida HB 803 Florida HB 803 is a new law that significantly changes the building permit requirements for residential construction in Florida. It is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Key Provisions Permit Exemption: Residential construction work valued under $7,500 is exempt from building permit requirements. Local Government Limitations: Local officials are restricted from inspecting exempted work. Temporary Structures: The law allows for certain temporary hurricane or flood protection walls to be built without a permit. Additional Changes Private Provider Authority: Expands the role of private providers in the permitting process, reducing local oversight. Homeowners' Associations: Prohibits HOAs from requiring permits for architectural reviews of proposed improvements. Permit Review Deadlines: Introduces mandatory deadlines for permit reviews, aiming to speed up the process. Important Considerations Written Request: Homeowners or contractors must submit a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency. Prohibition on Project Splitting: Projects cannot be divided into smaller components to evade the $7,500 threshold. Exclusions: The exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work. This law aims to streamline the permitting process, reduce costs, and encourage home improvement projects across Florida. Very Important to remember: Under Florida HB 803, residential construction work valued under $7,500 is exempt from building permits, except for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, which still require permits regardless of cost. The exemption also does not apply to properties in flood hazard areas
