Should I rent to this tenant?

Question

I have a LTR that I've been asked to rent for 6 months. They are wanting the utilities to be included, along with washer/dryer, however as stated in the listing, and repeated to them, the house is not furnished and only offers washer/dryer hookups. They are wanting to move ASAP, which from my research is a red flag. I did ask if they would need the house furnished (in an attempt to find out what they were really looking for/needing), she said they would prefer the house be furnished, however they would just buy furniture if they had to.
This is all seems really odd to me. They could be, perfectly fine people. However the request, duration, needs, seem odd to me.

Out of curiosity I looked up what monthly rents were going for similar houses on AirBNB/VRBO, and the cheapest I could find in my area for similar property (furnished however) was $1400 over what I am asking for my LTR. I feel like I would be willing to entertain this if they weren't needing to move in ASAP, and they brought their own furniture. But those 2 things are turning me off to this. What say you?

Troy P. · Answer

I agree.  This whole situation screams sketchy.  It's your property.  If your goal is LTR with no other strings attached, that is what you should do.  If you've done the research for the area and found STR/MTR is a lucrative strategy, it may be something to pursue.  Regardless, I suggest not changing your strategy for a single tenant.  There are many others out there who would love to rent your empty unit.

Also, I agree with others, install a washer/dryer if it's standard for the area.  I've only been asked once if I could remove them so the prospective tenant wouldn't have to store them.  "Sorry, no I can't."

Jeyo Punnakottil · Answer

@Emory Clayton

Sounds really fishy.Those applicants are a pass for me if it is happening on my rental.On my LTRs ,i  strictly donot lease anything less than 12 months. "MY RENTAL ,MY TERMS" I am from Tx and i do provide washer ,dryer and refringerator in my rentals .Just a nice perk and a nice selling point.I do charge that in the rent on back end as if a similar ppty with out those rents for 2000$/month then mine will be for $2100-2150/month. Appliances has its own head aches ,wear and tear and complaints .Circling back to your case ,your appicants sounds too pushy which is a red flag.They want it for 6 months ,when clearly your ppty is clearly advertised for LTR .They want utilities included and washer and dryer installed.BIG RED FLAG.They are too demanding.You are the Landlord and not them.Donot flex your criteria and property for the applicants.Tomorrow they will come back and say the compressor unit is too loud and must be replaced,cabinets are not shaker style and closes hard while closing and needs to be replaced etc etc.

To me this above mentioned applicants are a pass .

Nathan Gesner · Answer

It could be sketchy, but it could also be 100% normal. I have a lot of people move to my area and look for something to rent for 3-6 months while they decide where to live, house hunt, etc.

I rent everything on a 12-month basis. If someone wants it for a shorter period, I offer a month-to-month option with a 25% increase, minimum.

Determine what price makes it worth your trouble, then offer that to them. If they paid $800 more per month, would that make it worth your while to add a washer/dryer and rent for six months? What about $500? $1,000?

Everything has a price. Everything for a price.

Alice Goodson · Answer

Hello Emory,

I guess, like you, the potential tenant's approach is a bit concerning. Did you advertise the place for rental? If YES, THEN did you make it clear that this was a LT lease rental? Did you clearly stipulate that it was unfurnished? If you did I would be concerned that a renter would contact, you and ask you to change the conditions of your advertised rental. AND rush you into decision leaving very little time for you to investigate the risk involved with this request.

My VOTE, proceed with caution. Do not rush to failure.

Good Luck

Alice -

JD Martin · Answer

No. I rent on my terms and my conditions, period. If a prospective tenant doesn't like it they're welcome to find a house elsewhere that meets their needs.

So you just need to decide if you want to run a 6 month rental where you provide utilities & appliances and maybe furniture, and if you do then what you want to charge for that service.

Michael Coco · Answer

Not a landlord but here is my two cents: Do they have solid financials and references? I can't speak to Texas but in some places, certain appliances are required. I would not buy a washer and dryer to accommodate a 6-month rental. If you do, AND you are paying utilities, make sure those are energy-efficient appliances. Also, if I were paying utilities for a renter, I would cap them at a certain amount per month. After that, the tenant pays. Make sure the washer and dryer stay in the house per the lease when those tenants leave.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Buy a used washer and dryer for the rental regardless if these tenants move in or not. In the lease state that they come with the unit, but if they break, they will not be replaced or repaired.  Having a washer and dryer will attract more tenants and reduce wear and tear on the property when you have turn overs...and ensure they are properly connected.

Ask why they need to move in quickly. Could be their last place had a flood/fire or the place they had rented fell through. I would NOT buy furniture for them.

Ned J. · Answer

If supplying a washer/dryer is pretty standard in your area (seems like it is in many TX markets, but not mine in CA) then I would add it, but make sure the rent reflects it.

No furnishings supplied unless its a STR

Tanner Lewis · Answer

It depends on the market, but in Austin, having a washer and dryer either in unit or in the complex is pretty market standard. I think you would have better marketability by adding this instead of the washer/dryer hookup

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