Tenant screening - need help

[Flora Granter]

We got a tenant application for a 2006 single family house with monthly rent $1425. The applicant has a nice credit score of 702 and monthly income of $5000. Based on tenantsearch check, he has no criminal history and no eviction history. But he is from CA with two recent short-term contract job ( 4-month, 12-month) in Houston. He has two large debt:one $22k for vehicle; the other $20k. He has a credit card debt over $6000. He has two large dogs: 20 lbs French bulldog and 60 lbs pointer. He has a co-applicant who is his finances. She actually lives in California and they have a house there. She has 788 credit score and only has a house payment with monthly mortgage $1400. She has decent income $8000 monthly. I requested his bank statement and was told he is not comfortable with that. But he is willing to show his paystub. I requested increased non-refundable pet deposit due to the pet size from standard $250 to $400. He was not interested in the increased amount. My rental house has been vacant since end of November. I hope to rent to this tenant. But kinda of worries of his debt and his job stability and potential house damage from his large dogs. Please help me whether I should rent to this tenant. Your advice is appreciated. Newbie me wants to know comments and experience.

[Thomas S.]

Income and credit are acceptable however everything else raises too many red flags for me personally. I would pass based on his refusal to provide required information, refusal to agree to pay pet deposit, sketchy situation regarding his present residence, uncertain employment and CA connections.

There is simply way too much wrong with this situation to bother wasting your time trying to make this applicant fit. PASS.