Do You Need a Realtor to Find Tenants for your rental property?
The short answer: Not necessarily!
I recently came across a post from a landlord who was frustrated with their realtor. His complaint was that the agent simply listed the property on the market and then did very little afterward. It left him wondering whether hiring a realtor to lease a property was really worth it.
To be honest, finding tenants doesn't always require a realtor.
When screening rental applications, our team generally focuses on three key criteria:
- A single-family household
- A credit score of 700 or higher
- Annual household income of at least three times the monthly rent
If a prospective tenant meets these requirements, many landlords can successfully market their property on social media and find tenants on their own.
So, What Does a Realtor Actually Do?
While landlords can certainly handle the process themselves, experienced realtors can provide an additional layer of screening and protection.
1. Access to a Better Tenant Pool
When a property is listed on MLS, many prospective tenants book showings through their own real estate agents. In our experience, tenants who are working with an agent tend to be more serious and better prepared. Agents are also less likely to represent applicants who have significant qualification issues, creating an initial layer of screening before an application even reaches the landlord.
2. Professional Verification and Risk Assessment
Perhaps the most valuable part of the leasing process is verifying the information provided by applicants.
In 2025, our team successfully leased 103 properties, and we've already leased 39 properties so far in 2026. With that level of experience, we've developed a strong understanding of what legitimate applications look like—and what potential red flags to watch for.
In fact, approximately 80% of the time, we can identify inconsistencies or concerns simply by reviewing the documents provided by a tenant.
However, we don't stop there.
Our screening process typically includes:
- Verifying employment directly with the employer
- Contacting previous landlords for references
- Reviewing supporting income documentation
- Pulling and verifying credit reports using professional screening tools
- Looking for inconsistencies that may indicate altered or fraudulent documents
While this process may take a little longer than finding a tenant through social media, it often results in securing a more reliable tenant and reducing the risk of future problems.
The Bottom Line
If your primary goal is to save money and move quickly, finding tenants yourself through social media can be a perfectly reasonable option.
However, if you'd prefer a more hands-off experience and want professional assistance with marketing, screening, document verification, and risk management, working with an experienced realtor can provide valuable peace of mind.
Ready to Rent Out Your Property?
Summer is one of the busiest rental seasons of the year, making it an excellent time to attract qualified tenants. Whether you choose to lease your property yourself or work with a realtor, the quality of your tenant screening can have a lasting impact on your investment.
If you'd like expert guidance with marketing, tenant screening, and lease negotiations, our team is here to help.
Thinking about renting out your property this summer? Contact The Fisher Group today for a complimentary rental consultation.
📞 647-598-8488
💬 Contact us at TheFisherGroup.ca
