17 Landlord Interview Questions and Answers

As a landlord, you’re responsible for finding and screening tenants, negotiating leases, and ensuring your property is well-maintained. You also need to be familiar with the applicable laws and regulations governing rental properties.

If you’re looking to become a landlord, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a range of questions during your interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with questions and answers that will help you stand out from the competition and land the job.

Are you familiar with local property management laws and regulations?

Landlords are responsible for knowing and following local property management laws. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with these regulations. Use your answer to highlight any specific knowledge or skills related to this process.

Example: “I am very familiar with local property management laws and regulations. In my last position, I was in charge of keeping track of all state and city ordinances regarding rental properties. I also helped create a system where we could report violations to the appropriate authorities. As a result, our company had fewer issues with inspections and tenant complaints.”

What are some of the most important qualities that a good landlord should have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the qualities they are looking for in a landlord. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list out the most important qualities and then explain how you possess them yourself.

Example: “A good landlord should be someone who is trustworthy, responsible and reliable. They should also be fair and compassionate when dealing with tenants. I believe these traits are essential because they help me provide a safe and comfortable living environment for my tenants while maintaining the property.”

How would you handle a situation where a tenant is not paying their rent on time?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a common problem for landlords. Your answer should include steps you take to ensure rent is paid on time and any actions you take if a tenant does not pay their rent.

Example: “I have had this situation happen in my previous role as a property manager, so I know it’s important to address the issue right away. When I noticed that a tenant was late on their rent payment, I called them immediately to discuss the situation. The tenant informed me they were having financial issues and asked for an extension. I agreed to give them one month of extra time before expecting full payment. After the tenant paid their rent, I implemented a system where tenants are required to submit proof of income each month.”

What is your process for choosing which applicants to approve for tenancy?

Landlords have the right to choose which applicants they want as tenants. This is a highly subjective process, and it’s important for you to be able to explain your thought process in choosing who gets tenancy.

Example: “I look at each application individually and consider their credit score, rental history and references. I also like to meet with prospective tenants in person so that I can get a better sense of who they are and how they might fit into our community. If there are any red flags on an application or during my initial meeting with them, I will usually deny tenancy.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to resolve a dispute between a tenant and a neighbor.

Landlords often have to resolve disputes between tenants and neighbors. This question allows you to demonstrate your conflict resolution skills, which are an important part of being a landlord. In your answer, explain how you resolved the dispute and what steps you took to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Example: “When I was renting my first apartment, there was a loud party that went on until 3 a.m. The next day, I called the tenant who hosted the party and asked them not to do it again. They agreed but then had another loud party two weeks later. I called them again and told them if they did it again, I would evict them. They apologized and promised it wouldn’t happen again. After that, they never had another loud party.”

If a property you own suddenly became infested with pests, what would be your immediate course of action?

Landlords are responsible for maintaining their properties and ensuring that tenants have a safe living environment. If pests suddenly infest a property, it is the landlord’s responsibility to take action immediately. This question helps an interviewer determine how you would respond in this situation. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Example: “I would first contact my pest control company to schedule an appointment. I would also inform all of my tenants about the problem and offer them solutions to help prevent future infestations. For example, I might provide them with additional bug spray or other repellents.”

What would you do if a tenant complained about the state of the property you’re managing and you knew it would be too expensive to fix?

Landlords are responsible for maintaining their properties, and sometimes this can be costly. An interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you would handle a situation like this if it ever arose in your current role or in the future. In your answer, explain that you would try to find an alternative solution to fixing the problem so that you could avoid spending money unnecessarily.

Example: “If I were managing a property where a tenant complained about something but I knew it was too expensive to fix, I would first try to find a way to repair the issue without having to spend more money than necessary. If there is no other option, however, I would speak with the tenant to see if they would be willing to wait until we had the funds to make repairs. If not, I would work with them to find another place to live while we fixed the issue.”

How well do you handle stress?

Landlords often have to make important decisions quickly, such as whether or not to evict a tenant. They also need to be able to handle conflict between tenants and other property owners. Landlords must be able to remain calm in stressful situations while still making the best decision for their business. A good landlord is someone who can think clearly under pressure and act decisively when necessary.

Example: “I am very organized, so I find that helps me manage stress. When I feel overwhelmed, I take a few deep breaths and remind myself of my organizational skills. I then prioritize what needs to get done first and work through each task one at a time until everything is complete.”

Do you have experience performing property inspections?

Landlords often perform property inspections to ensure their tenants are maintaining the rental unit. This helps landlords determine whether they need to make repairs or if the tenant needs to repair any damages. An employer may ask this question to see how comfortable you are performing these tasks and what your experience is with them. In your answer, try to explain that you have performed property inspections in the past and provide details about what you did during the inspection.

Example: “In my previous position as a landlord, I performed property inspections twice per year. During each inspection, I would walk through the entire rental unit and check for any damage or maintenance issues. If I found something wrong, I would note it on the report and tell the tenant when they needed to fix it by. If there were no problems, I would simply give the tenant the report.”

When is the appropriate time to raise a tenant’s rent?

Landlords often have the right to raise a tenant’s rent, but they must do so in accordance with local laws. When answering this question, it can be helpful to know what your state’s laws are regarding raising rent and when you would be allowed to do so. You may also want to mention that there are other ways to increase revenue from tenants besides raising their rent.

Example: “In my last position as a property manager, I raised rents twice per year on all of our units. The first time was at the beginning of each calendar year, and the second time was six months later. In my current role as a leasing agent, we only raise rents once per year because we offer many amenities to our tenants, such as free cable and Wi-Fi. This helps us keep costs down for our residents while still making money for the company.”

We want to attract long-term tenants. How would you go about building a relationship with a long-term tenant?

Landlords want tenants who will stay in their property for a long time. This is because it’s more profitable to have one tenant than several short-term ones. A good landlord wants to create an environment where tenants feel comfortable and safe, so they’ll be happy to stay for as long as possible.

Example: “I would make sure that the property was well maintained and clean. I’d also ensure that my communication with them was clear and consistent. If there were any issues, I’d address them quickly and efficiently. Finally, I’d offer incentives like discounts on rent or free utilities to encourage them to stay.”

Describe your process for keeping records of all of your properties.

Landlords are responsible for keeping records of their tenants’ rent payments, maintenance requests and other important information. This is a legal requirement in many states, so the interviewer will want to make sure you understand this process. Your answer should include how you keep track of your records and how often you update them.

Example: “I use an online property management system that allows me to create tenant accounts where I can store all of their rental history. I also have a separate account where I can record any maintenance issues or questions I receive from my tenants. I check these accounts at least once per month to ensure everything is up-to-date.”

What makes you stand out from other landlords?

Landlords are often responsible for managing a large number of properties, so it’s important to show that you have the skills and experience necessary to be successful in this role. When answering this question, consider what makes you unique as a candidate and highlight your relevant qualifications and skills.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others find affordable housing, which is why I started my own property management company. My goal is to help people who may not otherwise be able to afford their rent by finding them safe places to live. In addition, I also offer free financial advice to tenants on how they can save money and budget more effectively.”

Which property management software programs are you familiar with?

Landlords often use software programs to manage their properties. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the same or similar programs they currently use. Before your interview, research which property management systems the company uses and describe how familiar you are with them. If you’ve used a different system in the past, explain what it is and why you’re comfortable learning a new one.

Example: “I’m very familiar with Property Manager Pro because I used it at my last job. It’s an excellent program for managing rental units, as it allows me to create tenant accounts, track rent payments and communicate with tenants all from one place. I also like that it has mobile apps so I can access information on the go.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a landlord?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your values as a landlord. They want to know what you think is most important when it comes to managing rental properties and interacting with tenants. In your answer, try to highlight some of the skills or traits that make you an effective landlord.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of being a landlord is communication. Tenants need to feel comfortable reaching out to me if they have any questions or concerns. I always encourage my tenants to reach out to me if they ever need anything because I am happy to help them in any way I can. Communication also helps me understand their needs so I can provide better service.”

How often should you inspect your properties?

Landlords are responsible for inspecting their properties regularly to ensure they’re in good condition. This question helps the interviewer determine how often you inspect your own properties and whether you have a system in place to keep track of regular inspections. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would schedule property inspections and what information you record during each visit.

Example: “I perform an initial inspection when I first rent out a property, then at least once per year after that. During my initial inspection, I check all major systems like plumbing, heating and cooling and make notes about any repairs or improvements needed. After that, I only inspect the property if there’s a problem reported by tenants or if I notice something unusual during one of my routine visits.”

There is a discrepancy between the inventory count and the actual number of items in a storage unit. What is your next step?

Landlords are responsible for maintaining accurate records of their tenants’ belongings. This includes conducting an inventory count at the beginning and end of a lease to ensure nothing is missing or damaged. If there is a discrepancy, you should investigate it thoroughly to determine if any items were stolen or damaged by another tenant.

Example: “I would first speak with the tenant who had the discrepancy in their unit. I would ask them about what was originally in their storage unit and compare that to the current inventory. If something is missing, I would contact local law enforcement to report the theft. If something is damaged, I would have the tenant submit documentation from a professional appraiser stating the value of the item before it was damaged.”