Potential tenants transitioning from the military in Alaska

[Philip Mullinax]

Good afternoon,

I have a question about screening potential tenants who are transitioning from the Military and moving from Alaska.  The husband will be receiving his military paycheck until February, but they do not have jobs lined up in North Carolina yet.  I have asked for a cosigner who currently has the adequate income to make the rental payment and a good credit score.  Do you think adding the  cosigner will cover my basis on renting to the couple?  I empathize with them being that far away and transitioning out of the military, but I also want to cover my basis making the house payment.  I appreciate everyones input.

[Jonathan Taylor Smith]

My thought on a co-signer is that it just puts extra pressure on the primary signer(s) to do the right thing and pay the rent for fear of negative impact on and feedback from the co-signer if not... But ultimately I think this works only when it was likely the rent would have been paid by the person(s) anyway. In other words, I do not think adding a co-signer really prevents a bad tenant from proving to be just that... Co-signer or not, if they don't have a job and can't get one quickly, the rent can't / won't be paid.

Still may be a good idea to get a co-signer, but I'd put primary focus on employment history and bill paying habits as seen on credit report from when they were fully employed. Also, what line of work will they be seeking and is that something readily available in your area? And do they have any existing prospects for employment, interviews lined up, etc... or are they moving blinding and hoping it just works out?