Screening| Applicants with no ID/Social | Disabled | Responsiblit

[Luke H.]

Hello team,

Hope all is well and that everyone had good holidays.

I believe that the screening process is the best tool I have for getting quality tenants in my house and avoiding future headaches. I wanted to get some general feedback and direction on the following situations:
1) I am renting my house out and currently accepting applications.

2) To be fair and honest. I tell everyone that I process apps 1 at a time,  in the order received and do not process 1 until I finish with another one. If I don't process their app, I send them their application fee back.  The fee covers the background checks.

2Q) Is there a better way to do this? I don't mean going online as some applicants don't have computers or emails. I mean, what works for you.

3)I often get applicants that do not have ID or SS# (Houston, Texas).
3Q) Should I even accept an application from them?
3Q)Should I accept an application with passport number and ITIN (Individual tax payer number)?

4) I have an applicant that tells me her husband is disabled and her son will help them build whatever ramps or things they need.
4Q)Feedback on this? As a landlord will the city require ME to handle any special needs or special requests they might have? What if they build a ramp and the city deems it is not up to code, could I get into legal issues here?

5Q)If I don't like a potential tenant, how can I decline them renting the property? I want to make sure I am covered legally, be fair to everyone and follow best practices. Maybe there is some inconsistency in their app or let's say they have all the paperwork but I get a bad gut feeling? Example: I had a tenant I thought might be on drugs (the erratic behavior), but they qualified so i rented the property.  Now, I smell drugs when I go into the house.

Please reach me with any question to help clarify and your feedback is much appreciated.

Thank you