When renting an apartment, what is a normal timeframe between?
With my properties, an applicant is given the lease before they are approved. When a person applies to rent one of my properties, there is a screening cost involved. Its a $50 fee that the screening firm charges to do a full background check on the applicant, and although I pay the fee to the firm, I collect it from the applicant. When a candidate completes the application form and presents it to me with the screening fee, I immediately give them a copy of the lease agreement. I ask them to read it carefully, and contact me if they have questions or concerns. I also suggest that they submit it to an attorney for review. The approval process usually takes two to three days. That lapse gives the potential tenant enough time to thoroughly review the lease agreement, discuss it with their attorney, and to make note of any objections, modifications or points of discussion. Once approved, I contact the applicant to arrange an appointment to sign the lease, do a walkthrough, collect rent and deposits, present the keys, etc. My first comment is usually, Congratulations, youve been approved. My second comment is usually, Did you read the lease agreement? Do you have any concerns or questions? You see, I always want to be certain that the tenant is happy with the terms of the rental agreement. If there are items in it that the tenant doesnt like, we will discuss it. I am always open to negotiation. And while there are some things that are simply not negotiable (such as allowing pets, waterbeds, smoking indoors, etc.), Im willing to look at most any reasonable term for negotiation that the tenant may present. I want happy tenants. And nobody likes discovering something onerous or negative in their agreement long after theyve signed it and moved in. I want tenants to have plenty of time to read the lease carefully, to ponder and mull it over, to understand it and to realize that they will be bound by each and every provision in the contract. I want no surprises, either for me or for them. Thats why I provide the lease agreement the moment they apply for tenancy.