Reading a tenant profile like a pro
Experienced landlords decide in minutes, not days. Here are the three signals they look at — and the traps they avoid.
Signal 1: length of stay
The single best predictor of a smooth tenancy is fit between the stay and your plans. A 10-month booking from a master’s student maps perfectly onto an academic year. A 2-month stay from a consultant on a project is equally predictable — it just suits a different kind of landlord.
Ask yourself: what do I want this property doing in 6 and 12 months? If the answer matches the request, that’s most of the decision made.
Signal 2: occupation and purpose
The profile tells you what the tenant does and where they’re coming from. The pattern to look for is coherence: an Erasmus student booking September to June, a nurse relocating for a hospital contract, a developer moving for a new job. When the story makes sense, the tenancy usually does too.
Signal 3: move-in date
Check the gap between today and move-in. A comfortable gap (2–6 weeks) gives you time to prepare. A very tight one is workable if the property is ready. A very distant one is fine too — it locks in income early; just make sure your calendar stays accurate in between.
The traps to avoid
- Holding out for a “perfect” profile. Every request is from a screened tenant who has committed money. Waiting weeks for a hypothetical better tenant usually costs more than it gains.
- Judging by nationality. It’s both poor business and against the rules. In Madrid, 84% of Spotahome tenants are international — that’s the market.
- Overthinking short stays. Spotahome’s average is around 5 months, and shorter stays often command higher monthly rents.
Two-minute method: stay length fits? Story makes sense? Dates work? Three yeses — accept. One clear no — decline with a reason. Anything in between, contact Spotahome support with your question before the 24 hours run out.
Ready to review your request?
Apply the two-minute method now — and see what happens after you accept.