Prospective Tenant wants discounted rent to buy new furniture

[Sandy G.]

Hello there!  Thought you all might get a chuckle out of this one.  Had some prospective tenants check out one of our rentals today.  I had asked them multiple screening questions prior to the showing and then toward the end of the showing and out of nowhere they asked if they could receive a discount on the first month's rent so that they could buy new furniture... living room, dining room and bedroom sets.  What???  They supposedly have been living somewhere for 1 year and produced a letter from their landlord singing their praises of what great tenants they are  (which we all know anyone could have written).  I couldn't help myself so I asked "don't you have furniture now in the place you are currently renting?"  They said they do but they need bigger furniture since our rental is bigger...  I guess when you start to think you've heard all the reasons one could ask for discounted rent, you find out clearly you have not.  Turns out their total monthly income is too low ($600 shy of 2 month's rent -- we require it to be at least 3 months).  I love how they leave that part out when you are screening them over the phone.  Next...