The property has been vacant for three weeks.
The bond still needs to be paid.
The rates and levies don't stop.
Maintenance expenses keep arriving.
Then somebody views the property and says they love it.
You can almost feel the financial pressure lifting.
But this is precisely when a landlord needs to make a deliberate decision.
The applicant may be entirely suitable. There may be no reason to decline them. What matters is that suitability has not yet been established simply because the applicant wants the property.
The landlord needs to understand the person's relevant financial circumstances, the consistency of the information supplied and the risks involved before concluding the tenancy.
One month without rent is expensive. Several months of unpaid rent can be much worse.
Suppose your property rents for R9,000 a month.
An additional month of vacancy could mean losing R9,000 in potential rental income.
Now imagine a tenancy in which three months of rent remain unpaid and there are additional costs to address.
This example excludes legal fees, recovery expenses, further vacancy and the possibility that some arrears or costs may later be recovered.
It is not a prediction of what will happen with any particular tenant.
All amounts are illustrative. Outstanding rent is a debt, not necessarily a permanent loss; the actual net financial effect depends on later payments, lawful recoveries, costs and individual circumstances.
Would you rather have the highest offer — or a rental arrangement that appears financially sustainable?
An applicant may offer more rent than you advertised.
That can be attractive, especially when the property has been vacant.
But the important question is whether the proposed rental commitment is supported by the applicant's verified financial circumstances.
The R500 monthly difference adds up to R6,000 over twelve fully paid months.
That additional income is meaningful. But one unpaid month at R10,000 exceeds the entire R6,000 annual difference.
This does not mean the lower offer is automatically better, or that the higher-paying applicant is riskier.
It means the decision should be made using relevant information rather than comparing rental amounts alone.
What does "the right tenant" actually mean?
It does not mean the wealthiest applicant.
It does not mean someone with a perfect credit score.
And it certainly does not mean choosing someone because of personal assumptions about what type of person makes a good tenant.
A suitable applicant is someone whose application has been assessed against relevant, lawful and consistent criteria for that particular tenancy.
Identity
Has the applicant's identity and relevant application information been verified?
Affordability
Does the applicant appear able to meet the proposed rental alongside other financial commitments?
Payment Behaviour
What relevant information is available about credit obligations and rental payment history?
Verification
Can important employment, income and reference information be verified where appropriate?
Consistency
Do the application, supporting documents and third-party confirmations make sense together?
Clear Terms
Does the applicant understand the rental arrangements and obligations they are being asked to accept?
A payslip is useful. It isn't a complete tenant assessment.
Many applicants provide genuine documents and accurate information.
But a landlord should not assume that one document answers every important question.
A payslip may indicate earnings, but affordability also depends on existing financial commitments and whether the income is current and reliably established.
Bank statements, income verification and relevant credit information may provide additional context.
Similarly, a deposit payment shows that funds were available for that payment. It does not establish the applicant's ability to pay rent every month.
What does professional tenant screening actually involve?
A+ Properties offers a Tenant Screening & Risk Assessment service that considers several relevant aspects of an application.
The objective is to verify important information and provide a professional recommendation based on what is available at the time.
Verify relevant identity information and consistency.
Consider lawful credit information and recorded payment behaviour.
Assess income and financial commitments against the proposed rent.
Verify relevant employment and income information where possible.
Consider relevant previous rental conduct and available records.
Check appropriate references rather than accepting them without verification.
Identify material contradictions or unexplained information gaps.
Provide a professional assessment to support the landlord's decision.
A report does not guarantee future rental payment, employment stability, property care or compliance with a lease. The final decision remains with the landlord.
Explore Tenant Screening & Risk AssessmentA successful tenancy must work for both the owner and the occupant.
From the landlord's perspective, the property is an asset with financial obligations.
From the tenant's perspective, it is a home.
These two interests are not necessarily in conflict.
A clear agreement, realistic rental, proper maintenance responsibilities and respectful communication can support both parties.
Good tenant selection is about establishing a sustainable tenancy — not treating every applicant as a potential problem.
Tenant screening is not permission to discriminate.
Landlords are entitled to make reasonable decisions about the financial and contractual risks associated with a tenancy.
But those decisions must be made lawfully and fairly.
An applicant should not be rejected because of stereotypes, protected personal characteristics or unsupported assumptions.
Personal and financial information must also be collected, processed, stored and shared in accordance with applicable privacy and credit-information requirements.
A fair screening process should:
The National Credit Act framework and applicable regulations require proper authorisation for accessing a prospective tenant's credit information. TPN's guidance specifically explains the need to obtain the applicant's consent before obtaining a credit report.
For further information, consult TPN's guidance on prospective tenant credit checks .
Five situations where the landlord should ask further questions.
Not every concern means an application should be declined.
A discrepancy may have a reasonable explanation. Missing information may be easy to obtain.
What matters is resolving material questions before approval.
Income That Cannot Be Verified
The supplied information does not clearly support the income declared in the application.
Material Document Differences
Important identity, employment or financial details contradict other information supplied.
Affordability Concerns
The proposed rent may be difficult to sustain when relevant financial commitments are considered.
Unverifiable References
An important landlord or employment reference cannot be confirmed through reasonable checks.
Pressure to Skip the Process
The applicant requests immediate occupation while essential screening or contractual steps remain incomplete.
Good tenant selection starts with good property marketing.
A landlord cannot assess applicants who never enquire.
That is why rental pricing, presentation, photographs, advertising and response times matter.
An accurately priced and properly marketed property may attract a broader pool of relevant applicants.
A broader pool gives the landlord a better opportunity to compare applications using consistent criteria.
It is not necessary to create unrealistic expectations or advertise to everybody indiscriminately.
The aim is to give suitable prospective tenants enough information to decide whether the property meets their needs.
Read: How to Get Good Tenants for Your Rental Property in Boksburg .
An approved applicant still needs a properly established tenancy.
A screening report may support the landlord's decision.
But approval does not eliminate the need for a clear lease, lawful deposit arrangements, an incoming inspection and a documented handover.
The parties must understand the terms, including the rent, payment date, lease period, utilities, maintenance responsibilities and applicable property rules.
Written Lease
Record the agreed terms and obligations clearly.
Deposit and Rent
Verify payments and arrange lawful handling of deposits.
Entry Inspection
Document existing defects and the condition of the property.
Key Handover
Record keys, remotes, meter readings and access arrangements.
South Africa's Rental Housing Act contains important requirements concerning deposits and joint inspections. The landlord should also ensure that the tenancy is managed in accordance with applicable laws.
Found a Tenant? Complete the Process ProperlyWhat if a properly screened tenant later stops paying?
An applicant may have a reliable payment history and sufficient income when approved.
Then circumstances change.
Employment may be lost. A business may experience difficulties. An unexpected expense may affect affordability.
A screening report cannot predict every event.
This is why the landlord also needs a sensible ongoing management process: checking rent receipts, keeping accurate records, addressing arrears early and communicating appropriately.
Lease enforcement, cancellation and eviction must follow the applicable legal requirements. Eviction from a home requires a court order.
The goal is to respond promptly and lawfully rather than allow a problem to grow without attention.
You can find the tenant yourself without having to perform every verification yourself.
A+ Properties offers standalone Tenant Screening & Risk Assessment for landlords who have already sourced an applicant, as well as screening combined with lease and onboarding support.
Ten questions every landlord should answer before approving an applicant.
You don't need to hand over all property management to get professional screening.
A+ Properties offers different service options depending on how much of the rental process you want to handle personally.
The first person who wants the property is not necessarily the person you should approve.
But neither should a suitable applicant be declined because a landlord expects somebody better might come along.
We believe the aim is to make a timely, fair and properly informed decision.
That means realistic marketing, structured screening, appropriate documentation and clear responsibilities after occupation.
A+ Properties helps landlords understand the application information and choose the level of rental support that suits their circumstances.
Frequently asked questions about choosing tenants.
Should I accept the first applicant who can afford the rent?
Not solely because they applied first or appear able to pay. Apply your relevant, lawful criteria consistently, verify important information and assess affordability before making a decision. The first applicant may be suitable, but that needs to be established.
Does a good credit score mean someone will be a good tenant?
Not automatically. Credit information can be useful, but it should be considered with verified income, affordability, rental history, relevant references and the other information supplied.
Can I decline an applicant because of poor credit?
Relevant credit information can form part of a lawful and consistent risk assessment. The circumstances and significance of the information should be considered fairly rather than relying automatically on one isolated indicator. Applicable anti-discrimination and privacy requirements must be respected.
Does paying a deposit mean the applicant should be approved?
No. A deposit payment does not verify identity, employment, monthly affordability or rental history. Payment alone should not replace the application and approval process.
Does professional screening guarantee that the tenant will pay?
No. Screening reduces uncertainty by providing a more complete assessment at the time of application. It cannot predict every future event or guarantee payment, lease compliance or property condition.
Can I use A+ Properties if I found the tenant myself?
Yes. A+ Properties offers standalone Tenant Screening & Risk Assessment and additional lease or onboarding support for self-managing landlords.
How long does A+ Properties tenant screening take?
A+ Properties publishes a target of one to two business days after receiving a complete application, the required documents and proof of the applicable payment. Incomplete information and additional third-party verification can increase the turnaround time.
What happens if a screened tenant later defaults?
The landlord or appointed managing agent must address the arrears through the applicable lease and lawful procedures. Screening is not insurance against default, and a landlord cannot bypass legal requirements concerning enforcement, cancellation or eviction.
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Add A+ Properties on Google →Understand the decisions that happen before the keys.
Tenant Screening & Risk Assessment
Explore A+ Properties' identity, credit, affordability, employment and rental-history checks.
Found a Tenant?
Get help verifying an applicant and preparing the tenancy before occupation.
How to Choose the Right Tenant
Follow a practical process for choosing a tenant without relying on guesswork.
Why Credit Checks Matter
Understand what credit information can reveal and why it is only one part of screening.
How to Get Good Tenants in Boksburg
Learn how pricing, preparation and marketing can help attract suitable applicants.
Why Finding the Right Tenant Matters
Explore the relationship between reliable tenant selection and tenancy stability.
Tenant Placement vs Property Management
Decide whether you need placement assistance or ongoing rental administration.
What Do You Need to Rent Out a House?
Review the preparations, paperwork and responsibilities that matter before letting a property.
More A+ Property Guides
Explore more practical articles for South African landlords and homeowners.
You worked hard to acquire the property. Give the tenant decision the attention it deserves.
A+ Properties helps Boksburg and East Rand landlords with tenant screening, risk assessment, placement, lease preparation and ongoing property management. Choose the level of assistance that suits your property and circumstances.
Screening limitations: No screening process can guarantee future rental payments, employment stability, property condition or compliance with a lease. Reports provide an assessment based on information available at the time, and the landlord remains responsible for the final tenant-selection decision.
Financial examples: All figures in this article are illustrative and do not represent a forecast or claim about the results of a specific tenancy. Actual losses, recoveries and expenses depend on the circumstances.
A+ Properties: A+ Properties offers tenant screening, risk assessment, placement, lease preparation and property management within the service and mandate agreed with the client. Service fees and processing requirements should be confirmed on the relevant current service page.
Photographs: The Unsplash images are illustrative and do not represent A+ Properties listings or particular rental properties in Boksburg. The diagrams are explanatory illustrations.
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