--- title: Landlords - How to select the right tenants for your property description: Tenants, unfortunately they are not all created equal and having good tenants vs bad tenants can make or break a 'Mom and Pop' investor image: https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hubfs/handingoverkeys-525x350.jpg --- [0800 030 646](tel:0800030646) - Search - [Contact Us](https://nzhl.co.nz/contact-us/) - [Find Us](https://nzhl.co.nz/find-us/) - [Client Login](https://nzhl.co.nz/login/) [![NZHL](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hubfs/Nzhl_January2019%20Theme/Images/logo-footer-nzhl.png)](https://nzhl.co.nz/) - [Home Loans](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans) - - [Change to NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/switch-to-nzhl/) - [Buying your first home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/first-home/) - [Buying your next home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/next-home/) - [Interest rates](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/interest-rates/) - [Home Loan calculators](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/tools-calculators/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - - [How much could I borrow?](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/tools-calculators/) - [Where's my nearest office?](https://nzhl.co.nz/find-us/) - [How much deposit do I need?](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/first-home/getting-a-deposit/) - [Insurance](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance) - - [Your Life](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-life/) - [Your Health](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-health/) - [Your Home and Car](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-home/) - [Your Income](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-income/) - [Request a quote](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/request-a-quote/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - - [NEW! Reducing Life Cover](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-life/) - [Request a quote](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/request-a-quote/) - [Make a claim](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/make-a-claim/) - [About NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl) - - [In the Community](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/in-the-community/) - [Head Office](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/head-office/) - [Media Centre](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/media-centre/) - [Work with us](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/work-with-us/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - - [Our sponsorships](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/in-the-community/) - [Job opportunities with NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/work-with-us/) - [Why change to NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/switch-to-nzhl/) - [Articles](https://nzhl.co.nz/articles) - - [Finances](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/finances/) - [Insurance](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/insurance/) - [Lifestyle](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/lifestyle/) - [Property](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/property/) - [NZHL News](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/nzhl-news/) - - [Buying your first home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/first-home/) - [Search](https://nzhl.co.nz/search) - [Home Loans](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans) - [Change to NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/switch-to-nzhl/) - [Buying your first home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/first-home/) - [Buying your next home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/next-home/) - [Interest rates](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/interest-rates/) - [Home Loan calculators](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/tools-calculators/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - [Insurance](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance) - [Your Life](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-life/) - [Your Health](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-health/) - [Your Home and Car](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-home/) - [Your Income](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-income/) - [Request a quote](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/request-a-quote/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - [About NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl) - [In the Community](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/in-the-community/) - [Head Office](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/head-office/) - [Media Centre](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/media-centre/) - [Work with us](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/work-with-us/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - [Articles](https://nzhl.co.nz/articles) - [Finances](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/finances/) - [Insurance](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/insurance/) - [Lifestyle](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/lifestyle/) - [Property](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/property/) - [NZHL News](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/nzhl-news/) ![handingoverkeys-525x350](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hubfs/handingoverkeys-525x350.jpg) #### Landlords - How to select the right tenants for your property - Emily Doran - 4th of July 2016 Once your [property is secured](http://www.nzhl.co.nz/what-to-look-for-in-an-investment-property/) and [ready to rent out](http://www.nzhl.co.nz/landlords-things-to-do-before-renting-your-property-out/) the next step is to find tenants. Tenants, unfortunately they are not all created equal and having good tenants vs bad tenants can make or break a 'Mom and Pop' investor. Selecting the right tenants is important, here are some things to think about when selecting tenants *Find out as much (relevant) information about prospective tenants as you can* Information such as references, bank statements showing regular rent payments, ID (for credit check) and current landlords details can all help you in making your decision about the right tenants for your property,  one way to do this is with a [pre-tenancy application form](https://tenancy.govt.nz/assets/Forms-templates/Pre-tenancy-application-form.pdf) *Interview prospective tenants* Meeting prospective tenants in person in a great idea whenever possible. It will allow you to verify any information you need to and make sure you're 100% happy and comfortable with the people who will be living in your property. *Credit and reference checks* A credit check will cost you a bit of money up front to do but will allow you to see if someone has been in arrears with other providers before, if they have this could sound warning bells about their likelihood of paying rent on time to you. Reference checks with other landlords are invaluable and will shed light on the prospective tenants habits such as paying rent, taking care of the property etc. The tenancy.govt.nz website has a great [Landlord pack](https://tenancy.govt.nz/starting-a-tenancy/new-to-tenancy/landlord-pack/) with lots of really useful information in it. If all of the above sounds like more work than you have the time or inclination for another option is to hire a reputable property manager to look after this and other aspects of renting out your property. It will cost you a bit of money (usually a percentage of the rent) but for many people it can be an invaluable service, especially if you are not in the same city as your rental property.   *The information contained in this article is of a general nature and should not be taken as advice. It reflects the opinions of the writer only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of New Zealand Home Loans.* [![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/5029003/15f9b75f-b0b2-4fde-a7e7-54af0db03053.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/5029003/15f9b75f-b0b2-4fde-a7e7-54af0db03053) - Emily Doran *Author* **Share this article** - LinkedIn - Facebook - Twitter - Google - Reddit - Tumblr ##### Related Articles Get in Touch With Us ##### Popular Posts [![Should you break your loan?](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1233077740.jpg?width=300&name=shutterstock_1233077740.jpg)](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/should-you-break-your-loan) [**Should you break your loan?**](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/should-you-break-your-loan) 11 June 2015 In my recent article I spoke about the[impact of the OCR if you are floating](http://www.nzhl.co.nz/are-you-benefiting-from-the-ocr-drop/). Today I’ll... [![5 reasons lenders decline mortgage applications](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/applicationdeclined-525x350.jpg?width=300&name=applicationdeclined-525x350.jpg)](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/5-reasons-lenders-decline-mortgage-applications) [**5 reasons lenders decline mortgage applications**](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/5-reasons-lenders-decline-mortgage-applications) 24 March 2016 There is nothing worse than dreaming of your own home, putting time and effort into... [**Negotiating Tips Every Home Buyer Should Know**](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/negotiating-tips-every-home-buyer-should-know) 29 July 2015 The old saying is that in real estate, everything is negotiable. But is it really? [![Buying cars: the worst finance habit?](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/carpurchase-548x350-1.jpg?width=300&name=carpurchase-548x350-1.jpg)](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/buying-cars-the-worst-finance-habit) [**Buying cars: the worst finance habit?**](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/articles/buying-cars-the-worst-finance-habit) 15 November 2016 If I had to describe my worst financial habit, along with a number of my friends, it... [0800 030 646](tel:0800030646) - Search - [Contact Us](https://nzhl.co.nz/contact-us/) - [Find Us](https://nzhl.co.nz/find-us/) - [Client Login](https://nzhl.co.nz/login/) - [Home Loans](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans) - [Change to NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/switch-to-nzhl/) - [Buying your first home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/first-home/) - [Buying your next home](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/next-home/) - [Interest rates](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/interest-rates/) - [Home Loan calculators](https://nzhl.co.nz/home-loans/tools-calculators/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - [Insurance](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance) - [Your Life](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-life/) - [Your Health](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-health/) - [Your Home and Car](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-home/) - [Your Income](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/your-income/) - [Request a quote](https://nzhl.co.nz/insurance/request-a-quote/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - [Why NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/) - [In the Community](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/in-the-community/) - [Head Office](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/head-office/) - [Media Centre](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/media-centre/) - [Work with us](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/work-with-us/) - [FAQ](https://nzhl.co.nz/about-nzhl/faq/) - [Articles](https://nzhl.co.nz/articles) - [Finances](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/finances/) - [Insurance](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/insurance/) - [Lifestyle](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/lifestyle/) - [Property](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/property/) - [NZHL News](https://nzhl.co.nz/topic/nzhl-news/) - ##### Be social & follow us - - - - **Head Office** NZHL PO Box 161 903 Victoria Street Hamilton 3204 **Freephone** [0800 332 837](tel:0800332837) **Email** [info@nzhl.co.nz](mailto:info@nzhl.co.nz) ![NZHL](https://blog.nzhl.co.nz/hubfs/Nzhl_January2019%20Theme/Images/logo-footer-nzhl.png) **Disclaimer** *The information contained on this website is general in nature and is not intended as advice. It may not be relevant to individual circumstances and before making any investment, insurance or financial planning decision; you should consult a professional adviser. Copies of our disclosure statements are available on request, free of charge.* **[Our Privacy Policy](https://nzhl.co.nz/privacy-policy/)** © 2019 [NZHL](https://nzhl.co.nz). All rights reserved.