Potential applicant with eviction/judgment.

[Justin Fox]

So there is someone interested in my property that says they will have a glowing recommendation from their current landlord (with on time payments) who is selling.  But they have an eviction on their record and an unsatisfied judgment from the landlord before (four years ago).  She said she had been laid off and was unable to pay, which I understand.  It worries me that an eviction was necessary and was filed and that she still hasn't satisfied the judgment.

Just wanted to get some thoughts on this from other people who may have had the same type of interest and some who may have accepted them.

I was thinking possibly requiring the deposit, first AND last month's rent and monthly proof that they are slowly whittling down the judgment.  That's if the credit, current landlord and etc is satisfactory.

It's weird, I've never had someone with an eviction ask about one of my homes.  They currently pay more rent than my home is advertised for and says they have good rent history with the current landlord.  Evidently she left the same month the eviction was filed. So maybe the landlord just posted notice and filed for eviction quicker than she could arrange to leave?

I'm not even sure I can have variable deposit/first/last rent requirements legally.  I'm pretty positive I can't put a previous judgment payment as a requirement.

Should I even bother to take the application and contact the landlord?

Thanks,

Justin

[Andrew Ware]

So she has paid when she has had a job. Everyone pays when they have money. The important thing is that she took the eviction all the way to being kicked out. What happens when the chips are down again?

Look I'm not at all heartless. People deserve second chances. But it doesn't have to be on your dime. There are tons of landlords who don't screen.

What you never (okay rarely) hear from these types of people is I got myself in a bad situation. I should have had a contingency fund. Now I do, and can live for six months without a job. It's always some external fault when the truth is bad stuff happens all the time and people need to be prepared for it. If she talked about Dave Ramsey, or Suze Orman, or some kind of reality check program I'd say maybe.

My vote would be a hard no.