According to Eviction Lab, Richmond, Virginia, saw 13,538 eviction filings in the past year (as of September 1, 2024). It's a significant drop of 44% from the average, but it still puts the city's eviction filing rate at 15%.
As a Richmond landlord, one of your primary goals should be to avoid evictions as much as possible, as they're expensive and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are several ways to achieve this, one of which is to outsource the tenant screening process to a professional property management company.
The Richmond property management pros at PMI Glen Allen will explain why outsourcing tenant checks is a good idea, so please read on.
Minimize the Risk of Evictions
As noted by BestPlaces.net, the cost of living in Richmond, VA, is 8.6% lower than the statewide average and 4.8% less than the nationwide average. Almost everything here is cheaper, including rent for most types of properties.
Despite that, one of the most common reasons for evictions in Richmond is non-payment of rent. Not confirming a tenant's financial history and ability to pay rent can put you at risk of this problem.
Prevent that from happening with outsourced tenant screening services. At PMI Glen Allen, we implement an efficient tenant vetting process that looks into each applicant's:
- Employment status
- Income qualification
- Credit score
- Eviction history
- Criminal conviction history
Through those steps, we can gauge whether a tenant can afford your property, is responsible, and has good moral character.
Compliance With Fair Housing Laws
One law that protects Richmond renters from unfair rental housing practices is the Virginia Fair Housing Law. It prohibits housing providers from discriminating against potential tenants based on the following:
- Race, color, and national origin
- Sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity
- Elderliness and disability
- Familial status
- Military status
You could face complaints or legal trouble if your tenant screening practices don't comply with the Virginia Fair Housing Law. Even if it was an honest, unintentional mistake, prospective renters who think you may have discriminated against them can sue you.
Don't risk it. Instead, partner with us here at PMI Glen Allen. Our comprehensive tenant screening and landlord services in Richmond, VA, are fair and abide by all state and federal laws.
Protect Your Rental Income
If you outsource your tenant screening process to PMI Glen Allen, you can opt-in to our eviction protection plan. In the (unlikely but still possible) event that we must evict a tenant we screened and placed, we'll cover up to $2,000 of the legal costs and other fees associated with the process. We'll also handle the processing itself.
Outsource Your Tenant Screening Process to PMI Glen Allen
Outsourcing your tenant screening process is wise because professionals don't cut corners and will be thorough when checking each of your tenants' backgrounds. They also follow all state and federal laws, helping protect you from potential legal complaints and trouble.
So, why not let our experts here at PMI Glen Allen screen tenants on your behalf? Better yet, consider our full-service property management solutions, which include tenant placement, rent collection, property maintenance, accounting, and more. For your peace of mind, we back our services with multiple guarantees, such as our 21-day placement, happiness, and on-time rent guarantees.
Contact us today, and we'll happily provide a free rental analysis of your Richmond, VA, property!
