renting to people from out of state without meeting them?

[Jimmy S.]

I have a unit empty and 2 people called from out of state relocating and liked the house and are willing to fill out an application without looking at the unit. Does anyone have any experience with this? I dont like the fact that I dont get to meet them first but if they sound ok on the phone and I pull their credit is there anything to worry about? They are going by the pictures on craigslist but I know I get alot of weird people who call.

Would you rent to someone without meeting them first or them even seeing the unit in person first?

[Thomas S.]

I do personal interviews following the formal screening. If a applicant has not seen the property and I can not interview I normally reject the application. At the very best they go to the bottom of my list.  If the personal back ground screening points to a positive application I might consider a M2M lease but this would be rare. If it does not work out we can easily part ways. 

Normally I would not consider a applicant that has not seen the unit and that I have not met as it  adds a addition level of risk that I do not need to take.