What we look for in Boston tenants
In Boston, our management staff wants to work with reliable tenants. Here are some of the traits we expect.
- A tenant pays the rent when due every time. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
- A renter has integrity. A tenant does not sneak in a co-renter or pet.
- A renter is neat. A renter does not attract pests such as rodents and bugs.
- A renter does not damage systems.
- A renter is courteous and nice to work with. A tenant understands the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
- A renter doesn't disturb neighbors.
- A tenant complains at appropriate times. tenants that don't report maintenance issues cost property owners money and cause problems for property managers.
- A renter doesn't gripe when it's not appropriate. This means that a renter doesn't ask 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 renter doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
- A renter does not smoke in the rental.
- A renter is looking for a lease that is as long as the property owner wants to rent the property.
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 bad tenants.
Our Five Step Process
Fair Housing Laws and our conscience dictates that we do not judge potential tenants in Boston based upon appearance. Experience has taught us that appearances can be very decieving. We do however judge potential renters based upon their track record and their actions. If a applicant is rude to us from the outset, they will probably be difficult as tenants. If a lies, we will expect them to be unreliable as a tenant. If a has troubles finding certified fundsfor background fees and the first month of rent, we can expect that same potential tenant will have problems during the lease.
But even when every appearance initially is good we still vet each potential tenant with a full background check. Every applicant and occupant must submit a government-issue photo identification. From there, as property managers we start our vetting process.
Boston Property Management Resources
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Basics
Elementary info regarding property management in Boston.
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Getting Started
Learn more about getting started with rental property management
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Find A Tenant
Market your property to rent to find a reliable renter in Boston fast.
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Accounting
How does Nesbitt Realty keep track of income and expenses for landlords?
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Cost
A list of fees associated with property management services in Boston
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Vetting
How Nesbitt Realty vets tenants for landlords.
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Reserves
What is a contingency reserve account?
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Territory
Where does Nesbitt Realty manage rentals?
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Clients
Who uses Nesbitt Realty management services?
Landlord Reference
a useful archive for rental investors in Boston
- Before you put a renter in your rental in Boston
- Collections and evictions
- Communications with the tenant
- During the lease term
- End of lease term and what happens when a tenant breaks the lease
- How does the landlord get paid?
- How your management company handles the association and your community
- How your management company handles utilities
- How Nesbitt Management finds tenants
- Insurance matters for property owners using our rental management
- How Nesbitt Management handles keys
- Boston property owner responsibilities
- Maintenance, repairs & inspections for your rental property in Boston
- The move-in inspection
- Property management information form
- Selling a 1031 tax exchange & more
- Starting our management of your rental
- When owners don't yet know their new address
- Vetting tenants in Boston
More Information About Boston
Our recommendation
After the background check is reviewed we make a recommendation to the landlord based upon our experience as property managers in Boston and the information which we have verified. Ultimately the owner decides if the risk is worth taking, but they make that decision based upon facts and our expert advice.
Do you want understand more about our community?
Nesbitt Realty's Guide to Real Estate is a helpful resource for everyone who needs to review important real estate information about Boston and nearby areas. The Guide to Real Estate compiles information about what has sold and what is currently listed, and many surprising facts that you might not be aware of. Not to mention, our Guide spotlights quite a few of the assets of life in Boston. Of course, all of this is useful for purchasers and sellers, but real estate investors and renters might also find the facts 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
