A Bad Tenant Can Cost You Tens of Thousands of Rand
The applicant seems friendly. The deposit is ready. They want to move in Friday.
That is exactly when a landlord needs to slow the decision down. A deposit proves that one payment can be made. It does not verify sustainable affordability, identity, employment, rental history or future payment behaviour.
Screen My Applicant Before I Accept a Tenant
Nothing looked wrong at the viewing.
The applicant was polite. The documents arrived quickly. There was money for the deposit. The landlord was already thinking about avoiding another month of vacancy.
That combination creates pressure to say yes. But the real rental decision starts where the first impression ends.
The current A+ screening service looks at identity, credit, affordability, employment, rental history and references as part of a structured risk assessment. Importantly, screening reduces uncertainty; it does not guarantee how a tenant will behave in future. citeturn0search0
A rental problem rarely sends one invoice.
The original article correctly identifies the way costs can stack: unpaid rent, legal proceedings, damage, unpaid accounts, cleaning, repairs, lost marketing time and further vacancy can all arise from one difficult tenancy. citeturn0view0
Rent stops
The expected income disappears while the property's own costs continue.
Admin grows
Follow-ups, notices, records and professional assistance may become necessary.
Property suffers
Damage, cleaning or deferred maintenance can add another layer of cost.
Vacancy returns
After the tenancy ends, repairs and remarketing can delay the next rental income.
“I'll pay the deposit tonight” is not a tenant-screening method.
Urgency feels attractive when a property is vacant. But the landlord's goal is not merely to collect the first payment. It is to enter a tenancy that the applicant can realistically sustain.
A+ Properties' landlord guidance makes the distinction clearly: a deposit payment does not, by itself, verify identity, sustainable affordability, employment, rental history or future payment behaviour. citeturn0search5
Read: How to Get Good Tenants in Boksburg →
A credit score is one piece of the file, not the whole file.
A+ Properties currently combines several checks rather than relying on a single indicator. citeturn0search0
Identity
Does the supplied identity information make sense and match the application?
Affordability
Does verified income reasonably support the proposed rental commitment?
Employment
Does employment information support what the applicant has declared?
Credit behaviour
Are there material payment-behaviour or credit concerns that need consideration?
Rental history
What does the available history suggest about previous rental conduct?
Whole-file risk
Do the application, supporting documents and verification results make sense together?
The current A+ screening service starts at R695.
The current Tenant Screening & Risk Assessment is R695 for a primary applicant and R400 for a secondary applicant. A screening + lease and compliance package is currently listed at R1,295. The service includes structured verification and a professional recommendation, while the final approval decision remains with the landlord. citeturn0search0
For a primary applicant. Additional adult applicant currently R400.
For landlords who also require residential lease and onboarding/compliance documentation.
A good applicant still needs a clear tenancy.
The existing article correctly connects tenant selection with proper documentation. The lease should clearly record important terms such as rental, payment dates, deposits, maintenance responsibilities, inspections, occupation rules and notice provisions. citeturn0view0
Good screening reduces uncertainty before occupation. Good documentation reduces uncertainty after occupation. Neither eliminates all risk, but together they create a much stronger starting point.
Why a Written Lease MattersNot every application needs an immediate yes or no.
A+ Properties' current landlord guidance frames the outcome as suitable, more information required, or risk not acceptable. citeturn0search5
Proceed on the evidence
The verified information supports the proposed rental and no material unresolved issue prevents the landlord proceeding.
Stop and clarify
Something important is missing, inconsistent or unresolved. Get the information before deciding.
Don't force the placement
The verified information does not support the commitment or leaves material risk the landlord is unwilling to accept.
There is no such thing as a guaranteed “good tenant”.
People lose jobs. Relationships change. Businesses fail. Unexpected expenses happen. A tenant who screened well can later experience financial difficulty.
That is why A+ Properties' current screening page explicitly says screening reduces guesswork but cannot guarantee tenant performance. The purpose is to make the landlord's decision better informed using the information reasonably available at the time. citeturn0search0
You do not need full management just to make a better tenant decision.
A+ Properties currently supports landlords through standalone screening, tenant placement and ongoing property management/support routes. citeturn0search3turn0search6
Keep reading.
Seven checks to make before committing.
How to Get Good TenantsThe process begins before screening.
How to Choose the Right TenantUse a structured placement process.
Why 5% Take 95% of Your TimeSee what happens when rental risk becomes workload.
You Have a JobDon't accidentally turn your rental into another one.
Rental Knowledge CentreBrowse tenant, deposit, arrears and landlord guides.
Tenant-screening FAQs
Does a good credit score guarantee a good tenant?
No. Credit is only one part of an application. Affordability, employment, rental history, references, identity and supporting documents can also matter.
Can I screen a tenant I found myself?
Yes. A+ Properties' standalone screening service is specifically suitable for self-managing landlords who have already sourced an applicant. citeturn0search3
How quickly is screening completed?
A+ Properties currently targets 1–2 business days once the completed application, required documents and proof of payment have been received. Additional verification or missing information can extend the process. citeturn0search0
Does screening guarantee the tenant will pay?
No. Screening is a risk-reduction and decision-support process based on information available at the time. It cannot guarantee future payment, employment or behaviour.
Who makes the final decision?
The landlord or relevant decision-maker. A+ Properties provides verification, assessment and a professional recommendation to support that decision. citeturn0search0
The cheapest rental problem is the one you identify before occupation.
If you already have an applicant, you do not need to hand over management of your property to have them professionally assessed. Let A+ Properties help you understand the application before you sign the lease and hand over the keys.
Screen My Applicant Call 011 383 3316Tenant screening reduces uncertainty but cannot guarantee future payment behaviour, employment stability, affordability, property care or lease compliance. Recommendations are based on information reasonably available at the time. The final decision remains with the landlord or relevant decision-maker. Prices and service inclusions should be confirmed at the time of application.