Showing your rental property to prospective tenants necessitates not only meeting new people, but showing them into the apartment. While most potential renters are simply average folks in need of a place to live, the process of showing apartments can be dicey. Learn how to protect yourself from a bad situation with these apartment viewing safety tips.

Screen the Renter First

It's a good idea to screen renters as a first line of defense. Anyone who is wary of passing a basic credit check is not a quality tenant. Screening the tenant provides you with information that the renter can afford to take your apartment and pays bills on time. A screening might show your renter's eviction history, criminal record or employment history. Thus, you may be able to prevent many problems from even arising by declining a tenant with a record of eviction due to rent nonpayment or violent crime. As long as you apply the same criteria (and ask the same screening questions) to all tenants, you will avoid accidentally discriminating against a potential renter.

At the showing, ask to see identification. Do not assume that the person you are meeting is indeed the individual who completed the tenant screening. By taking the extra step to confirm that the person who contacted you is in fact the person you are meeting, you can avoid getting into a potentially dangerous situation.

Direct Renters Through the Unit

If you enter the apartment first, you could be blocked from leaving by a potential renter who stands between you and the exit.

Always direct renters through the unit to protect your own safety. Hold the door for them and gesture them inside the apartment, and then every room inside the unit. If a renter wants to see the basement or attic, wait for them on the ground level. You don't want to be trapped in an attic or basement.

While it can be tempting, never let renters tour a unit on their own. A prospective tenant could steal something from current renters when given an easy opportunity.

Don't Show Apartments at Night

It should be common sense, yet some landlords accept late-night showings if a renter says it is the only time he or she is available. Always keep showings to daylight hours to protect your safety.

Say You Have Another Appointment

You can ward off the chance that a renter will do something bad by telling him or her you have another applicant coming — say, in 20 minutes. Someone who might think of robbing you, for example, would think twice if he or she expected another party to show up in a short time frame. As a secondary precaution, tell a friend or loved one whenever you are showing the property. This way, someone always knows where you are. 

If you are worried that something could happen, you can have this person call you during the showing. Then, you can answer your cellphone and reassure the other party that everything is fine. If something feels weird, you could say a pre-arranged phrase that lets the other person know that you feel unsafe.

Be Prepared

Be prepared for an apartment showing to go wrong and have the skills and knowledge to protect yourself. You might take a self-defense class or carry pepper spray in your bag. Keep a flashlight attached to your keys in case a showing runs late and it gets dark outside. Always take your cellphone with you to showings and make sure the battery is charged. Finally, when in the apartment, make sure you know where all exits are located.

Along with preparing for physical violence, be ready for emotional outbursts. Renters could become angry if you deny their application, even if they are unqualified to rent. Consider learning de-escalation tactics that could allow you to defuse a situation before a crisis develops.

With these safety precautions, you can show your apartment to potential renters, stay safe and safeguard your other tenants who rent at the same property. While you hope to never need these safety tips, it is better to be prepared for any situation than find yourself alone in a crisis.