Residents of the UAE can choose from a wide range of rental properties ranging from penthouses to luxury villas available in the market. Renters only have to approach a real estate agent and brief them on their budget and demands. However, as a real estate agent, you are responsible to match the right rental client with the right property.
To make the process smooth, real estate agents screen rental clients and provide them with the best property unit. However, to make the screening process more convenient, we have listed important questions a real estate agent should ask rental clients.
Questions a Real Estate Agent Should Ask From Tenants
Matching tenants and landlords as per their requirements and demands is the skill set that sets real estate agents apart from their peers. This will not only increase your credibility in the market but also increase conversion chances. That said, mentioned below are some questions that will help you with the process.
Why Are You Leaving Your Current Residence?
The first question to ask rental clients is why they are leaving their current homes. Inquiring about the reason to move out elaborates on their expectations and requirements. There can be multiple reasons why a tenant is moving out, it can be an upscaling lifestyle, downsizing or planning to save money.
As an agent, you should be able to comprehend the reason for moving out and provide them with the best-suited property. For instance: a client living in Palm Jumeirah is moving out to save some money, show them units in the top non-luxury areas to rent an apartment in Dubai that are more affordable.
Is Your Current Tenancy Contract Expired?
Once you understand the reason for their moving out, ask them about their tenancy contract. Inquire whether the current tenancy contract has expired and when they are planning to move in. This will aid you in creating a timeline and guiding them through the process accordingly.
Alongside the client’s timeline, consider the landlord’s expectations. Some landlords might need some time for repairing and maintaining their property, while others might want tenants to move in immediately.
Similarly, some tenants take precautions and start looking for the property in advance, while others are willing to move in the next day. Filter out the property units according to the timeline and only show those properties that match the tenants’ requirements. This will not only aid you in renting process but also assist in building rapport with real estate clients.
Do You Know All the Legalities of Moving Out?
To become a successful real agent in the UAE, you must help your clientele in every possible way. Ask your client whether they are aware of the process of renting in Dubai and other Emirates. If not, brief the whole process and guide them through the necessary documents that will be required to move in and out.
Whether they have to apply for a move-in and move-out permit or need assistance with a tenancy contract, as an agent you should help them all. However, it is suggested that the assistance should be in a professional manner and not intrude on the client’s personal matters.
What Is Your Profession?
Asking about the rental client’s profession will elaborate on their source of income. Agents should use the estimated source of income to predict whether they will be able to pay the rent or not. The question will serve as pre-screening and will filter out potential rental clientele.
How Many People Will Live With You?
The number of people who will be living in the house is one of the most significant questions a realtor should ask a tenant. It will not only help you in building a client persona but will also help prepare your selling points accordingly. For instance; families with children will prefer play areas or parks nearby the house. Whereas, young expats will be looking for clubs and bars.
Moreover, you can also guide the client regarding additional legal issues such as the co-occupant registration on DLD or Ejari.
Do You Have Any Pets?
Pets can be a major deal breaker in many cases, as not all landlords are comfortable with them. Inquiring whether the tenant has a pet and especially which type of pet will help you save time and effort later. In case, a building or a landlord does not allow pets, you will be wasting time by showing such properties to the rental client.
In such cases, simply opt for pet-friendly areas in Dubai and other Emirates and buildings. However, remember that some buildings have restrictions on the type, size and number of pets. Make sure to discuss all of it prior to recommending the property to the tenant.
What Are Your Preferred Areas?
In some cases, clients have pre-decided the area and only want to move to that specific area. Like some people specifically are in search of popular areas to rent apartments near Dubai Metro.
Such clients save a lot of time as they already have a plan and you only have to show them the right property. It is suggested to ask clients about the area they prefer to live in.
Is There Anything That I Should Know Before Initiating the Process?
This open-ended question will help customers unwind and elaborate on the subtle aspects of their life. This could include their criminal or illegal activities. Be cautious with such customers, whether they have committed an international or local crime, make sure to check their background with the police. Also, as an agent, you are obligated to check every customer’s background before recommending them any property.
This was the complete list of questions a real estate agent should ask from rental clients. The rental real estate market of the Emirates is rapidly growing. However, people often face difficulty reaching potential customers even in this growing market. Nevertheless, you can opt for online platforms like dubizzle to increase your reach. Have a look at the properties for sale in the UAE and estimate the reach that dubizzle provides to the agents.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog to know more real estate questions for rental clients.
