Would you approve this tenant?

[Adam Ulery]

Hey BP'ers, I would appreciate any advice experienced landlords could give me on this one. I am screening an applicant now and trying to make a good accept/reject decision. The applicant has a job grossing 2.8 times the monthly rent. The job relies on tips as part of the compensation. The person's boss is a distant family member who did speak highly of them and said the person's job position was stable into the future. The applicant received rave reviews from current landlord and no red flags from previous landlord going back 4 years. The applicant has a young child so maybe they turned their life around... because from 4.5 years and prior their record is bad. Several items in collection and not paid, including from a former apartment where they skipped out early without giving notice and a utility bill. There were also several criminal offenses around that time period but no felonies. The person gave me cash deposit to hold. What would you do? 

Thanks for experienced advice, BP family!

[Rick Stein]

Move on. They seem like trouble. I learned early on...having no tenants is better than having a bad tenant.