One way to find out what it’s really like to have an interested party as a tenant is to do a reference check with their previous landlord and ask these five tenant screening questions.

1. Did the tenant pay their rent on time and in full?

This question will help you gauge how responsible a renter is. A renter who delivers the rent to you by the first of every month will make your job a lot easier. Ask the previous landlord if they ever worked with the tenant to resolve any payment issues to help you avoid the hassle of late payments and warning notices.

2. Did the tenant take good care of the home or property?

You want your new tenant to treat your property like it was their own. Ask their previous landlord if there was any damage during their tenancy beyond normal wear and tear. Renting to someone with a history of taking good care of the property can help you avoid risk and financial losses.

3. Was the tenant a courteous neighbor?

Even the most financially responsible renter could turn out to be a less-than-ideal tenant. Be specific when you ask this question by using examples: Were there any noise complaints, frequent loud parties or problems with the renter’s pet? Leasing to a mutually respectful tenant can eliminate frequent complaints from unhappy neighbors.

4. Was the renter a good communicator?

It makes both of your lives easier if you and your renter stay courteous and professional when communicating about property maintenance, notice of entry or late rent payments. Ask the previous landlord if the renter regularly answered emails, texts or phone calls.

5. Would you rent to this person again?

The answer to this question can be telling, and if the answer is anything but a “yes” be sure to probe for reasons why — especially if the answers to the previous questions were positive. The reason could have more to do with the landlord than the tenant. But a recommendation from the previous landlord should give you a good idea of the behavior to expect from the renter.

While it’s important to screen applicants to identify great renters, you shouldn’t rely on their previous landlord as your primary source to vet the applicant. A thorough tenant screening also includes pulling a credit report, conducting a criminal background check and requesting a reference from their employer. Familiarize yourself with our Respectful Renting Pledge, which is a simple set of guidelines for landlords on how renters need to be treated while using our tools.

Zillow Rental Manager can save you time and simplify your tenant screening tasks. Try our tool for yourself!