I've heard several stories in Rochester about people who quickly took in tenants through referrals from acquaintances, only to start experiencing late rent payments after two months. The problem was skipping credit checks and income verification because they trusted someone they knew. In the past, it was common to take in tenants based solely on referrals, but times have changed. If you don't go through proper screening procedures, it can lead to much bigger losses later on.

In order, there are five main things to check: rent pricing, advertising, screening, contracts, and state regulations.

First is the rent price. According to Zumper, as of August 1, 2026, the average rent in Rochester is $1,350. This is down 3% from a year ago and 4% from last month. A one-bedroom averages around $1,230, while a two-bedroom is about $1,450. This is about 30% lower than the national average, so if you base your pricing solely on other areas, you might end up overpricing.

Once you've set the rent, it's time to advertise. Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace are essential in Rochester. Make sure to take photos of each room in an organized state to attract more inquiries. Clearly state the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, parking availability, and pet policies in your description to avoid wasting time on inquiries that don't meet your criteria.

There are also items to check when showing the house. Guiding multiple applicants at once can save time, but since you're meeting strangers, it's safer to bring a friend or inform family of your schedule. In the past, landlords would often come and go with keys at their convenience, but now it's standard practice to notify tenants in advance before visiting after they've moved in. In areas like Rochester, where there are many older single-family homes, there will be regular visits for things like winter heating system checks, and this principle still applies.

When inquiries come in, there are three things you must verify: credit score, income verification, and rental history confirmed by the previous landlord. Using a credit check service can allow you to check credit scores and past eviction records for a small fee. Skipping this step because of a referral, as mentioned earlier, makes it much harder to recover if rent payments fall behind.

If the screening is passed, it's time to write the contract. You need to document the lease term, rent amount and due date, security deposit, pet policies, repair responsibilities, and conditions for termination. Verbal agreements can be difficult to prove if disputes arise.

Before signing the contract, there's one more item to check. It's important to take photos of the home's condition before the tenant moves in. In the past, this step was often skipped in favor of verbal confirmation, but now keeping a photographic record is almost essential as it serves as evidence for any security deposit deductions. In areas like Rochester, where many homes are older, it's common for houses to have been built before 1978, and in such cases, you must provide tenants with lead paint disclosure documents as required by federal law. Having landlord insurance is also a way to protect against risks like fire or damage.

Finally, you need to check New York state regulations. Security deposits cannot exceed one month's rent and must be returned within 14 days after the tenant moves out, along with a deduction statement. To evict a tenant who is behind on rent, you must issue a 5-day notice followed by a 14-day notice, and for lease violations, a 10-day notice to cure followed by a 30-day eviction notice. In both cases, you ultimately must go through court procedures, and locking someone out or removing their belongings is prohibited by law.

By following these five steps in order, you can minimize major mistakes when renting for the first time. However, since specific regulations are constantly changing, this article serves as general information, and it's advisable to consult a real estate professional or rental law attorney before finalizing any contracts.