The rental market in the UAE is booming, and every landlord wants one thing – the best tenant for their property. Your job as a real estate agent is to match your client with the right rental property for their needs.
In this article, we go through 8 tenant screening questions which you can use to find the perfect renter for your listing!
- What led you to the decision to move?
One of the first questions you should ask your clients is why they have decided to move. Your client’s reason for moving can reveal their expectations and how they want to be treated as they search for their new home. In the UAE, people move for various reasons; they may be upsizing, downsizing, wanting to save money or maybe they’ve just grown out of their current home or area. Knowing the intent behind your clients’ move can help you understand what specifically they are looking for and better cater to their needs.
Sometimes, you may find a client moving to reduce their commute time to work or any place of interest. For these situations, be sure to use Search 2.0, our new innovative tool where you can search for properties based on their proximity to any of your points of interest, such as your workplace, schools, gyms, etc.
- When does your tenancy contract expire/when are you looking to move in?
This question helps you understand your client’s timeline and guide them through the rental process. Your client’s move date likely depends on when their current tenancy contract expires. If they have a tenancy contract which is close to expiry, they will need to find a home faster than someone who is looking months in advance.
Make sure your client’s timeline matches with the landlord’s expectations; some landlords are looking to rent their property as fast as possible, whereas others are looking to secure the highest price. Asking about move-in dates can help you quickly determine if a unit in your inventory will match your client’s and landlord’s requirements.
As a real estate agent, you should understand that some people may start to look for rental properties months in advance with no intention of committing to signing a tenancy contract. However, others may be willing to walk away from an existing rental if they find their dream property.
- Are you aware of the next steps? Let me walk you through them.
Clients who are new to the UAE or new to renting may be unaware of how the process works and what they have to do next. Renting for the first time can be an overwhelming experience, especially for new expats. Share your in-depth knowledge and show that you are available to walk clients through the entire rental process as you assist them. This shows that you are happy to guide them and helps you position yourself as a trusted source of information.
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- Do you have any pets?
Pets play a significant role when a pet owner decides to move homes. Asking if a client has pets early in the process helps you save time and effort later on. If a building or landlord does not allow pets, you’ll immediately know not to recommend that property to your client. You’ll also know to look out for pet-friendly buildings, areas with facilities for pets, as well as vets or pet shops.
Keep in mind that some buildings may restrict pet size or the number of pets. Your client should be aware of these terms before viewing the property.
- How many people will be staying in the property?
Understanding how many people are going to be staying in the property gives you insight into your client persona and helps you prepare your selling points accordingly. For example, families with kids will want information about schools and playgrounds, whereas young expats want to know about restaurants and nightlife in the area. Knowing the number of occupants also provides you with the opportunity to remind clients of the DLD occupant registration they will have to complete upon moving in.
- What areas are you interested in?
While you ask questions to gauge what they are looking for in their ideal home, you should also ask about the community they are looking for or lifestyle they are looking to achieve. Are they looking for a quiet, family-oriented community, or an area with buzzing events and amenities?
A lot of clients may approach you early in their search process before they understand what they like or dislike about an area. We recommend walking your clients through our handy UAE Guides to give your clients an overview of the different areas in the UAE and help them compare different neighborhoods.
- What are some of your deal breakers?
Does this situation sound familiar? You’re at a property viewing, and your client says, “I don’t want an open kitchen” you move on to the next property, and they say, “I absolutely need to be on a high floor”. You wish you had known this earlier, as it would have helped you shortlist better listings for them to view.
Every client you interact with will have their own deal breakers when looking for property. Getting these out in the open as they begin their property search process will help you clearly understand what your client is looking for and show better properties which meet all their requirements.
- Do you have any questions for me?
This question is a great way to round off your first interaction with your client. It helps to address any concerns or doubts your client(s) may have and allows you to show your competence and trustworthiness.
For more educational resources, check out our Content Corner, where we have a growing library of real estate focused articles. You can also register for one of our many workshops at Bayut Academy, where we are committed to helping real estate professionals acquire all the skills needed to succeed in the competitive UAE real estate market.