What we look for in Fairfax County tenants
In Fairfax County, our team prefers to deal with reasonable tenants. Here are some of the traits we seek out.
- A tenant pays the rent on time every time. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
- A renter is honest. A renter does not sneak in a co-renter or pet.
- A renter is fastidious. A tenant does not attract pests such as rodents and bugs.
- A renter does not break the property or its systems.
- A renter is courteous and easy to work with. A tenant understands the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
- A renter doesn't disturb neighbors.
- A tenant reports problems when appropriate. tenants that don't report maintenance issues cost landlords money and cause head-aches for property managers.
- A tenant doesn't gripe when it's not appropriate. This means that a renter doesn't demand to upgrade functioning systems. A tenant doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A renter doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the tenant doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
- A tenant does not smoke in the property.
- A tenant is looking for a rental term that is as long as the property owner wants to rent the rental.
So this is what we're looking for in a tenant, but how do we find renters who measure up to this ideal? Experience has taught us that tardy tenants can appear as polite, nicely-dress, well educated people with jobs. We have a knack for sniffing out tardy renters.
Our Five Step Process
Fair Housing Laws and our conscience dictates that we do not judge potential renters in Fairfax County based upon appearance. Experience has taught us that appearances can be very decieving. We do however judge potential tenants based upon their history and their actions. If a applicant is difficult with us from the start, they will probably be troublesome as renters. If a makes false statements, we can expect them to be dishonest as a renter. If a has a problem finding certified fundsfor background fees and the first month of rent, we will expect that same applicant will have troubles during the lease.
But even if every appearance initially is good we still check the background of every potential renter with a full background check. Every applicant and occupant must provide a government-issue photo identification. From there, as property managers we start our vetting process.
Fairfax County Rental Management Resources
Basics
Fundamental information regarding property management in Fairfax County.
Getting Started
Learn more about getting started with rental property management
Find A Tenant
Market your property to rent to find a great tenant in Fairfax County fast.
Accounting
How does Nesbitt Realty keep track of income and expenses for real estate investors?
Cost
A list of fees associated with property management services in Fairfax County
Vetting
How Nesbitt Realty vets tenants for landlords.
Reserves
What is a contingency reserve account?
Territory
Where does Nesbitt Realty manage rental property?
Clients
Who uses Nesbitt Realty management services?
Landlord Reference
a free archive for property owners in Fairfax County
- Before you move a tenant into your investment in Fairfax County
- Collections and evictions
- Communications with the tenant
- During tenancy
- End of lease term and what happens when a renter breaks the lease
- How does the property owner get paid?
- How your management company handles the association and your community
- How your property manager handles utilities
- How Nesbitt Management finds renters
- Insurance matters for landlords using our property management
- How Nesbitt Management handles keys
- Fairfax County property owner responsibilities
- Maintenance, repairs & inspections for your rental investment in Fairfax County
- The move-in inspection
- Property management information form
- Selling a 1031 tax exchange & more
- Starting our management of your property
- When owners don't yet know their new address
- Vetting renters in Fairfax County
More Information About Fairfax County
Our recommendation
After the background check is complete we make a recommendation to the property owner based upon our experience as property managers in Fairfax County and the information which we have verified. Ultimately the real estate investor decides if the risk is worth taking, but they make that decision based upon facts and our expert advice.
Do you want know more about this area?
Nesbitt Realty's Guide to Real Estate is a free resource for anyone who hopes to review important real estate information about Fairfax County and nearby communities. The Guide to Real Estate compiles data regarding what has sold and what is on the market, and some compelling facts that you might not know. Also, our Guide spotlights many of the fundamentals of life in Fairfax County. Of course, all of this is helpful for buyers and sellers, but owners and tenants will also find these tools to be somewhat eye-opening.
Our Broker Will Nesbitt

"I am by nature a trusting person, but this business has taught me to verify every statement that a tenant makes. Scammers and bad tenants can sometimes give every appearance of being trustworthy and upright people. We never cut corners on background checks." ~ Will Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt

I like tenants that pay on time. Late paying tenants cause extra work and unnecessary stress for landlords and property managers. ~ Julie Nesbitt