8 Questions to Ask a Prospective Tenant
Good screening starts with good questions. The right ones help you find a tenant who fits the home, the timing, and the lease terms, without drifting into personal territory that has nothing to do with the tenancy.
The best screening questions are clear, relevant to the tenancy, and asked the same way of every applicant. That consistency is what makes your process fair, easier to run, and easier to explain if a decision is ever questioned.
What makes a good screening question
Before a question goes into your process, check it against three tests:
Clear: the applicant knows exactly what you're asking and why.
Relevant: the answer connects to the home, the lease terms, or the applicant's ability to meet them.
Consistent: you'd ask the same question of every comparable applicant.
8 questions to ask a prospective tenant
1. When would you like to move in?
Check whether the timing matches the property's verified availability. A gap of a few days may be workable; a gap of a few months usually isn't, and it's better for both sides to know early.
2. Who would live in the home?
Confirm the proposed occupants so everyone who will live there is on the application and the lease. Keep the question to who will occupy the home, and don't ask about protected personal characteristics like relationships, family plans, or background.
3. Can you provide the required income verification?
Explain which documents are acceptable, such as recent pay stubs or an employment letter, and apply the same standard to every applicant. Protect what you collect: store it securely and keep only what your process needs.
4. What is your recent rental history?
Ask for previous addresses, dates, and landlord references, and use the same verification steps for comparable applicants. Recent landlords are often the best source of insight into how an applicant pays rent and cares for a home.
5. Do you have pets?
Connect the answer to the property's verified pet terms and any building or condo rules. A request connected to a disability, such as a service dog, is an accommodation question rather than a pet question, and should follow the proper accommodation process.
6. Is there anything about the property you need clarified?
This open question often surfaces practical concerns about stairs, appliances, utilities, or access. These are much easier to sort out before the lease is signed than after move-in.
7. What lease length are you looking for?
Compare the applicant's preference with the term being offered. If you're offering a one-year fixed term and they're hoping for month-to-month, that's a conversation to have now.
8. What parking or access do you need?
Confirm stalls, vehicle type, visitor parking, and move-in access, like elevator bookings or fobs, before the agreement is signed.
Relevant questions protect both sides
A consistent screening process protects landlords and applicants alike. Three habits make the biggest difference:
Write the process down: a written list of questions and criteria keeps every applicant on the same footing.
Avoid unnecessary personal details: if the answer won't affect the tenancy, you don't need to ask.
Explain what happens next: tell applicants how and when they'll hear back.
Use this list as a guide, then tailor it to the property and the questions that actually come up.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask an applicant about their income?
Yes. You can verify that an applicant has the income to meet the rent, using the same process for everyone. In Alberta, source of income is a protected ground, so focus on the amount and reliability of income rather than where it comes from.
Should I ask every applicant the same questions?
Yes. Asking comparable applicants the same questions, in the same way, keeps your process fair and your decisions easier to explain.
What questions should I avoid?
Avoid questions about protected personal characteristics, such as place of origin, religion, family plans, or disability. See 5 Questions to Avoid Asking Rental Applicants.
Let Power Properties handle the details
At Power Properties, careful, consistent tenant screening is part of how we protect owners' investments and give tenants a better place to call home. If you'd like help finding the right tenant for your rental in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, or Medicine Hat, contact our team.
This article is general information and isn't legal advice. For the full requirements, see the Alberta Human Rights Commission's guidance on rental housing.
