Potential Tenant - Current Landlord States Late Payments

[Brad T.]

Hello Again Everyone,

  I am processing a rental application right now and I would like everyone's opinion.  The background check came back clean with no criminal history.  Good start.  No evictions on record either.  Good again.  I called the previous landlord and they said that the tenant keeps the house in good shape, but is late 1 to 2 months rent fairly frequently.  This was the landlord's only rental and it doesn't sound like they were very good at pushing the tenant to pay.  What would you do?  Some options I have thought of are below.

1. Don't rent to this tenant

2. Get an extra security deposit (1.5 months instead of 1, this is the most that is allowed in Michigan)

3.  Make them get automatic payments from their bank account

4.  Maybe both of 2 and 3?

[Aly W.]

If they are behind in rent 1 - 2 months on a regular basis, did the landlord (or tenant) say why? If it's because the tenant can't afford the rent or can't manage their money, you will have the same experience. 

Automatic payments debited from their account won't matter if there's no money in there to debit.

An extra half month's rent won't be much use if they're 1 - 2 months behind and you have to start an eviction. They will certainly not pay another dime once that starts. 

Are there no other potentially qualified applicants? So far option #1 sounds best.