A prospective renter’s demeanor during a tour can be a clear sign they are very interested in the unit and will be a model tenant, or they could send some signals that they could be a challenging tenant after they move in.

Here are five warning signs to look for when showing your rental.

1. They’re unreasonably or inexcusably late

If an applicant is truly interested in finding a rental home, they’ll show up on time or call you if they’re running late. And if they’re a complete no-show, consider them a no-go.

2. They complain about everything

If nothing in the unit meets the applicant’s expectations or they’re otherwise needy and demanding, they’ll likely be a nuisance after moving in, bombarding you with unreasonable requests for repairs, reimbursement or attention.

3. They bring too many people to the tour

Bringing a friend to the showing for safety in numbers — or simply a second opinion — is appropriate and even expected. But if applicants bring an entourage, it might be a sign that there will be a lot of people visiting the unit, which increases the noise for other tenants, or worse — they’re casing the property for its burglary potential.

4. They ask inappropriate questions

“Do any cops live here?” “Is the guy on the first floor single?” “What hours do the neighbors work?” At a minimum, these questions are inappropriate; at worst, they indicate that the applicant could put your tenants’ and building’s safety at risk. Don’t answer questions that aren’t related to the unit you’re touring — and steer clear of applicants who ask them.

5. They damage the unit you’re showing

They might call it testing the windows or checking the sturdiness of a railing, but if an applicant casually damages your rental — or drops litter as they tour — it’s a pretty sure bet they either don’t plan to live there themselves or simply don’t care about the property or the condition they leave it in.

Remember fair housing laws when showing your rentals to apartment shoppers, but pay attention to warning signs that could indicate a less-than-ideal tenant.

You can simplify the landlord-tenant experience with Zillow Rental Manager, which lets you screen tenants, accept online payments and create online leases (in select locations) that are customized to your state or city.

Related resources

• Tenant Screening: Finding the Perfect Renter
• Fair Housing Guide
• Dealing With Problem Tenants