Tenant Screening/Sex Offender

[Tyson Hill]

Just went into a recently vacated unit and found a "sex offender" letter on the fridge notifying my tenants that a sex offender just moved in to the 4-plex next to mine. Was this the reason my tenants moved? Who knows, but it wouldn't surprise me. 

Not only will this impact this investors 4-plex and his existing tenants, but it negatively effects everyone around this building. This investor was either short sided and wanted to take the quick cash or did not screen the tenant at all. Tenant screening is so crucial in the success of REI. If you don't have the tools to do it, partner with someone or a PM that can handle that aspect of your property. It could save you literally thousands by avoiding the wrong tenant.

[Michaela G.]

Or maybe the landlord dug into that person's past and found out that the situation wasn't as bad as it may seem. There's a huge range of acts, that will put people onto the sex offender list and not all seem fair. 

Think of the 19 year old, that had sex with his 17 year old longterm girlfriend. His life is going to be ruined forever. 

What about the guy, that was drunk and when walking home he peed in some bushes and the homeowner pressed charges, because their child could have seen it?

I have a tenant, who was staying with his brother and ended up kissing his 15 year old niece. Yes, I spoke to his probation officer, who wouldn't tell me what was in the file, but who confirmed the story that he told me. He's been in that unit for almost 5 years and he's transferring his payment directly from his account every month. I can honestly say, that he's the best tenant I've ever had. He know that he'll have a hard time finding another place, because most landlords won't even look closely.

Would I rent to someone that has molested little children? Hell, no! But just being on the list can mean something very different than what the automatic assumption is.