As of 2024, Georgia's governor notes that the state's tourism industry is currently breaking records. It's fifth among all US states and had 171 million visitors in 2023!
As a rental property owner in Blue Ridge, this is good news for you. There are more potential short-term renters than ever before. However, this also means you should be more discerning about who you rent to, and screening guests for vacation rentals is more important than ever before.
Read on to learn:
- How to screen guests at Blue Ridge GA rentals
- Guest screening guidelines
- Mistakes to avoid when screening
DO: Look Into All Important Information
Screening guests for vacation rentals means looking into various factors before choosing a tenant. The most important include:
- Credit scores
- Income
- Occupation/employment
- Eviction history
- Criminal records
Make sure that you ask for ID verification as well. This confirms the short-term renter's identity.
If you're struggling to find all the tools needed to look into this information, don't worry! A Blue Ridge full-service property management company has you covered.
We have the tried-and-true tools and expertise needed to screen tenants comprehensively. You don't need to buy and learn to use new software this way, either.
DON'T: Forget to Ask Questions
It's important that you ask renters questions before the trip. Ask them:
- How many people are in their party
- How old these people are
- Why they're taking their trip
- If they've ever rented a vacation home before
This will let you figure out who will be in your property.
DO: Remember Tenant Screening Laws
Georgia doesn't have many tenant screening restrictions. However, landlords must get written consent from the tenant to perform a background check. This ensures that potential renters are aware that you're looking into their personal information.
Landlords can:
- Charge application fees
- Choose not to rent to someone based on their criminal history
- Have a minimum income threshold for renters (pre-screening income qualification)
Discrimination is obviously illegal, though landlords can consider criminal history. The consideration just needs to be consistent across people in various protected classes.
If you choose not to rent to someone based on a criminal record, you also must tell the tenant how their record makes them a hazard to rent to.
DON'T: Rent to Uncooperative Tenants
Sometimes, you're going to get a potential tenant that has a good record and credit score. They still may exhibit red flags that make you uncomfortable, including:
- Not wanting to provide basic information
- Resisting answering questions
- Offering inconsistent reservation details
- Making last-minute bookings for long stays
- Coming in too large of a group
Don't ignore your gut if it tells you that a renter is displaying red flags. Screening guests for vacation rentals is a delicate process, and you have the right to refuse tenants.
Get More Vacation Rental Tips for Success
Understanding the basics of screening guests for vacation rentals is just the tip of the iceberg. Working with a professional to enact great rental management strategies will make you truly stand out.
At PMI North GA Mountains, we're committed to helping Blue Ridge landlords thrive. Contact us to schedule a consultation and discuss getting the highest return on your property investment.
