renting to people from out of state without meeting them?

Question

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. · Answer

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.

Account Closed · Answer

I did it all the time with great luck in Silicon Valley. You can talk to them over the phone. Sometimes they will have someone locally who can come see the unit (a relative or a contact for the international student department, or a coach - professional soccer player, or relocation person for the company, etc.). Sometimes their contact would have them on Skype while I showed the apartment and talked to them.Then, you otherwise just collect their data, and screen like any other tenant. I always had signed contracts before I stopped showing units along with the deposit. I did allow them to pay rent when they showed up and I gave them keys for the rent money. A couple times they weren't sure what time they'd arrive, so they just paid the rent and I sent them a key.Just vet them like anyone else. If they're relocating for a job, get a copy of the offer letter and call and talk to the HR Department. Just do good screening and vetting.I also only ever used month to month agreements, which worked well both ways, if either of us wasn't happy with the arrangement once they moved in. But, I can't think of one tenant who moved from out of state or country who moved out right away or who was ever a problem.

James Wise · Answer

In situations where the tenant has not seen the property it can get tricky if the property is not what they hoped it would be or perhaps the neighborhood is not what they expected and they want a refund or want to back out of the lease etc.. This could provide you with additional hassle.Whether or not you rent to them is completely up to you @Jimmy S. Tenants think it is your #1 duty to provide house but you have to remember your #1 duty is to run a profitable business. If you do not feel comfortable with it then make them come into town or simply pass on them.

Vic French · Answer

Never without meeting them first.

Dana Dunford · Answer

@Jimmy S. -- Regarding the showing:I FaceTime / Skype them into a showing (have an agent tour them around the house via Skype / FaceTime). Regarding the interview:You have to be careful about this one. If the tenant meets the credit, income-to-rent, etc. ratios and you reject them (only after the interview), they could sue you for violation of Fair Housing --> claiming that it was only after meeting them in person (their race, gender, etc.) ... that made them unqualified. A better indicator may be to call past landlords and employers to get a better gauge on whether or not they are a good tenant. I know that most owners perform interviews, and that is ok. You just want to be very careful with it to make sure that you don't expose yourself to any lawsuits.

Corby Goade · Answer

If you've spoken with them and get a good vibe and they meet your rental criteria, ask them to sign the lease and pay the deposit and first months rent immediately in order for you to hold the unit. Put a clause in the lease that if they decide to back out after they see the unit, you will return their first month's rent, but retain the deposit as the payment for holding the unit for them. I've honestly never done that, but we had a similar situation last month with a rental and decided that we'd try this method to see if it worked. We had someone local rent it in the meantime, but I'll try this if the scenario comes up again. Best of luck!