Tenant Screening Made Easier For Saskatchewan Landlords

🔑 Tenant Screening Made Easier For Saskatchewan Landlords

🧭 Set Your Rules Before You Take Calls

Before you post your rental, decide what “approved” looks like. This keeps you consistent, and it saves you from making decisions based on pressure or emotion.

A simple set of rules can include:

How many people can live in the unit
Whether pets are allowed
Smoking or vaping rules
What move-in date you can accept
What you want to see for income and job stability
Basic expectations for past landlord history

Keep your criteria the same for every applicant. You can still be flexible when it makes sense, but you want to avoid changing the rules from person to person.

📞 Do A Quick First Screen Before Any Showing

Do not wait until a showing to find out the basics. A quick first screen helps you avoid wasted time and awkward conversations at the door.

You can do this by phone, text, or a short online form. Ask simple questions like:

When do you want to move in?
How many people will live in the home?
Do you have pets?
Do you smoke or vape?
Why are you moving?
Are you comfortable with the rent amount and utilities setup?

If their answers clearly do not fit your must-haves, it is okay to stop there and move on. If it sounds like a match, book the showing.

🧾 Collect An Application and Verify the Story

If someone wants to apply, your next step is to collect an application with details you can verify.

A good application should cover:

Full names of all adult occupants
Current address and past addresses
Employer and job details
Monthly income range
Contact info for current and past landlords
Any other facts that matter for the tenancy (like parking needs)

You also want written permission before you run a credit check or contact references. This keeps the process clear and professional.

Once you have the application, your job is to confirm the story. That means checking employment and income, and calling landlord references. Ask about things that show how the tenant actually lived in the home, not just whether they were “nice.”

Good questions for landlord references:

Did rent arrive on time?
Were there noise or complaint issues?
Did they take care of the unit?
Did they follow the lease rules?
Would you rent to them again?

📌 Pro Tip: If you only ask one landlord question, ask whether they would rent to the person again, then pause and listen. A fast “yes” often tells you more than a long speech.

🔍 Pull the Reports and Make A Clear Decision

After you have the application and references, you can look at reports like a credit check if that is part of your process.

When you review everything, do not focus on one single detail. Instead, look for patterns that match your screening rules. For example:

Stable job and steady income
Rent paid on time over time
Reasonable explanations for any bumps
Good care of past rentals

If you decide to approve someone, confirm the next steps in writing. If you decide to decline, keep your notes factual and simple. That way, your process stays consistent and easy to defend if anyone ever questions it.

📝 Lock It In With The Right Paperwork

Once you choose a tenant, do not treat it like a handshake deal. A clear tenancy agreement protects both sides.

At this stage, you should:

Use a proper tenancy agreement that fits your situation
Confirm start date, rent amount, utilities, and rules in writing
Follow Saskatchewan rules for security deposits (including limits and timing)
Keep records of the application, approvals, and key messages

Good paperwork does not just help on move-in day. It helps if there is ever a disagreement later, including a situation that ends up going through the Office of Residential Tenancies.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Tenant screening does not have to be complicated to be effective. If you set your rules, do a fast first screen, and then verify what people tell you, you will avoid most of the problems that cause stress later. If you are unsure how to build your screening steps, or how to set your rental up properly in Saskatchewan, I’d be happy to help.

📞 Call or text me at (639) 295-4696
📧 tanner@twrealestate.ca
🌐 twrealestate.ca

If you want a second set of eyes on your rental plan or screening process, I can help you tighten it up so you feel confident before you hand over the keys.