How to choose the right tenant: verification guide

Every landlord who decides to rent out their property in Tirana faces the same fundamental question: how do I find the right tenant? A good choice brings peace of mind and stable income. A bad choice can cost you months of stress, property damage, and financial loss. The good news is that with a structured verification process, you can significantly reduce the risk and find reliable tenants.

In this guide we'll look at the concrete steps every landlord should follow to verify applicants and make the best decision.

The basics: essential information you need

Before you start the verification process, you need to gather the necessary information from every applicant. This isn't just a formality—it's the foundation of your decision.

• Complete personal details: first name, last name, phone number, email address and ID card. Always ask for a copy of the ID card to confirm identity.
• Employment situation: where they work, how long they've been in that position, and monthly income. A good rule is that rent should not exceed 30-35% of net monthly income.
• Rental history: address of previous rental, contact of previous landlord, and reason for moving. If the applicant currently rents, this is a valuable source of information.
• References: at least two contacts who can vouch for the person's reliability—previous landlords, employers, or professional contacts.

Verifying income and financial stability

Stable income is a key indicator that the tenant will be able to pay rent on time. But how do you verify this concretely?

Request employment verification from the employer—an official letter confirming the position and duration of employment. For entrepreneurs or independent professionals, ask for bank statements from the last three months or an accounting report. In Tirana, where many incomes are informal, this can be challenging, but insist on at least clear proof.

If the applicant is a student or doesn't have sufficient income, request a guarantor—usually a parent or family member who takes on financial responsibility. Verify the guarantor's income as well.

Contacting previous landlords

This is perhaps the most valuable and most neglected step. A short conversation with the previous landlord gives you information that no document can replace.

Ask specifically:

• Did they always pay rent on time?
• How did they keep the property—clean and well-maintained?
• Were there any complaints from neighbors?
• Would you rent to them again?
• Why are they leaving?

The answers to these questions give you a real picture of the tenant's behavior. Be careful of warning signs: if the landlord hesitates to give positive information or is very careful with words, there may be reasons.

Physical check: meeting and property visit

No verification process is complete without a face-to-face meeting. Invite the applicant to view the property and use this opportunity to assess not only interest, but also seriousness.

Observe how they behave, what questions they ask, whether they show respect for the space. Talk openly about expectations: house rules, when and how rent is paid, maintenance responsibilities, policy on pets or visitors. The more transparent you are, the fewer misunderstandings you'll have later.

If the applicant doesn't want to meet in person or wants to sign the contract without seeing the property, this is a red flag.

Documentation: contract and deposit

Once you've verified the applicant and are convinced, the next step is formalization with a clear contract. A well-written contract protects you legally and sets expectations for both parties.

Make sure the contract includes:

• Full identity of landlord and tenant
• Exact address of the property
• Rent amount and payment date
• Contract duration
• Deposit and conditions for its return
• Responsibilities for bills and maintenance
• Contract termination conditions

The deposit is usually equal to one month's rent and protects you from damage or late payments. Keep it in a separate account and provide a receipt for every payment.

Use the platform to find quality candidates

The verification process becomes easier when you start with a better pool of applicants. On the Zgjedhja Ime platform, landlords list 100% free—with no commission. Tenants browsing listings pay only once, 50% of the first month's rent when they move in, which attracts serious applicants who are ready to commit.

When applicants come from a platform that structures the process and creates transparency, conversations start better and verification is more efficient.

Trust your instinct, but verify the facts

In the end, choosing a tenant is a balance between intuition and data. You might have an applicant who looks good on paper, but something doesn't convince you during the meeting—and often this feeling has value.

But don't rely only on feelings. Verify documents, contact references, ask the tough questions. A structured process gives you security and significantly reduces the chance of unpleasant surprises.

The right tenant isn't just someone who pays on time—it's someone who respects your property, communicates openly when there are problems, and creates a long-term healthy relationship. With careful verification and clear communication from the start, you can find this person and enjoy peace of mind as a landlord.