Showed a rental to a snake in the grass applicant. On purpose!

[Steve Vaughan]

Normally if I figure out a potential applicant just got evicted, I avoid showing them a place  I have for rent.  They won't pass the screening so why bother, right?  This time I wanted to see if I could pick up on something that would otherwise let me know: DANGER, DANGER! Do not rent to this applicant!   

We all know how important tenant selection is. This applicant was just evicted on 8/17/15.  Full enchilada with a sheriff's escort off of the property!

What if I didn't already know that?  Would I be able to draw upon my experience to identify red flags?  In the old days without being able to easily look online to check civil and criminal backgrounds, would I have survived as a landlord?

 Here are some key takeaways I got from this 'experiment':   

1)  No eye contact or handshake at initial approach.

2) Brought a parent or additional authority figure. This one was a grandma and she was good!  Had me distracted the whole showing discussing landscaping tips and how nice it would be to enjoy coffee outside in the morning.

 3) Applicant didn't bother to even glance at my written 'General Rental Qualifications' list I have right next to (or on top of) the application.

4) Application was finished in 42 seconds.  No checking the phone for contact info, or any     clarification questions asked.

5)  Application 'turned in' with no app fee ($25).  Clearly states can't be processed without.

6)  Missing information all over the place.  Rental history? Nah. Personal references? Who needs 'em.  Bankruptcy? Eviction? Foreclosure?  All blank.  (We ask for Y/N)  Note:  My updated apps ask for Year Of... Eviction?, Foreclosure?, Bankruptcy?   Harder to leave that blank.

These were just some things I noticed throughout the showing and application submission. Overall this person wasn't especially dirty or stinky or missing teeth.  Sometimes a snake in the grass is hard to see!   

Do you have any additional tips to warn current or future landlords about what to watch out for?   Looking forward to seeing some helpful responses!  Thanks!