Yup - good screening is an important skill for a landlord. I don’t have as many as you but I didn’t have anyone not pay. I have one that’s been about a half month behind on rent since this started but have consistently paid. The rest all on time. I look for high credit, stable job history, single family unit (as opposed to multiple individuals applying together) that can pay the first month rent and security deposit (equal to first month rent) up front at signing. I have never had to evict anyone and only had two tenants ever that I’ve had to use all or part of their security deposit. I even had one tenant add $6k in capital investments of their own money in the backyard at one of my former homes for expanded patio etc.
Once someone moves in I never raise their rent. I increase rent on the new people moving in and once they are in I never raise their rent either. Some people are paying $700 some 800 and some 875 or 900. Depends when thye move in.
Of course this is a verbal agreement and I tell them rent could be increased if property taxes or other unforseen expenses increase but so far never have had to do so.
One woman has rented from me for 13 years and she pays the rent 3 months in advance. She has done this for 5-6 years
A friend raises his rent all the time and he as constant turnover.
I’m willing to accept less rent because I dont have to paint after someone moves out or install new carpeting or have 2-3 months of lost rent while a unit is empty etc.
Of course I have no mortgage.