The most expensive mistake a property owner makes isn't deferred maintenance — it's placing the wrong tenant.
A problem tenant can cost $5,000–$15,000 in eviction costs, legal fees, damage repairs, and lost rent. A thorough screening process pays for itself many times over.
At Vitality Management, every applicant goes through a comprehensive screening process before we recommend placement:
**Credit check.** We look at overall credit health, not just score. Payment history, collections, and patterns matter more than a single number.
**Background check.** Criminal history, prior evictions, and court records reviewed for every adult applicant.
**Employment verification.** We verify income directly with employers. We require 3x monthly rent in verified income.
“A problem tenant can cost $5,000–$15,000 in eviction costs, legal fees, damage repairs, and lost rent.
”
**Rental history verification.** We call prior landlords — not just the listed reference. Two or three landlords back tells us what the current one won't.
**References.** Personal references with direct conversations, not just names on a form.
**Pet screening.** If you allow pets, we assess breed, age, and vaccination records. We establish the right pet deposit upfront.
This process takes longer than a quick approval. That's intentional. The goal isn't to fill your unit fast — it's to fill it right.
Vitality's screening-first approach means our owners spend less time dealing with tenant problems and more time watching their investment grow.
Todd Houghton
Vitality Management
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