Would You Rent to Him?

Question

We have an applicant who lived in another place nearby for 8 yrs and is looking because the property that he and his two teenage sons live in will be sold.   He seems pleasant and is approaching 60, landlord liked him, never an issue.  Here is the reason that I am hesitating: he does not hold a job and come across as a nervous type.  His brother who has large income co-signed for him before and will do so again.  If he works out, more likely we will have a long-term tenant.  But we can only get reference from one landlord, who is the current.

What can I do to make sure that he's not a weirdo.  I plan to ask why he's not working and where his income comes from.  That may help explain things, but if anyone has ideas of what else I should do, please let me know

I love all my current tenants, and we are expecting one other group of serious, younger people applying.  I like these people but believe that they won't stay as long as the nervous man.

David Dachtera · Answer

@Jackie Sladky,

Well, if you're referring to a prospective tenant as possible a "weirdo", you may want to reconsider whether REI is right for you. This is a people business and you won't go far with that kind of an attitude. We all have our eccentricities - get over it. Tenants are more than just dollar signs.

Be careful also to avoid discrimination against retirees. Just because someone has no current (or recent) employment does NOT say whether or not they have income. You have a co-signor. Qualify the co-signor, if necessary.

Thomas S. · Answer

Take your time and inform him you are still accepting applications or inform him you do not accept applicants requiring co-signers. That is within your rights.

When a applicant comes along that does meet your criteria, passes all screening qualifications and you are comfortable with accept them and inform all others the vacancy is filled.

You are correct in not accepting any applicant that for any reason you are uncomfortable with, that is the purpose of screening in addition to financial qualifications.

Not having a income would disqualify him in my opinion. If he is dependant on his brother he has a major life issue problem that can extend into his personality.

Pass.

Jackie Sladky · Answer

Thanks everyone for replying.  I like retirees because they are potential long term tenants, but he's just not working while able and has been depending for over 10 yrs now on his brother who cosigned the last lease and will cosign again.  As @Paul Ronto noted, he could be a great tenant but could be a friend of the landlord or like @Kelly N. mentioned, the current landlord may just need him out.  He asked a few questions that surprised us but not quite a red flag.  We hired a woman once long ago.  The only thing I noticed was that she did not smile during the entire interview.  It turned out that she was an unhappy person, made everyone miserable by complained about everything and everyone.  We all have our eccentricities, I accept that, as long as it not affect my business negative.  I am not labeling him a weirdo.  Be in this business means we need to know how to read people and avoid renting to those that potentially hurt our business.  We have a person in our neighborhood who makes her neighbors' lives miserable.  She curses the kids, sprays water on the neighbors, shines lights and camera on their bedroom windows, dumps trash and cigarette butts on their fronts and sites.  Those are just highlights.

I'll screen him the same way we do others, and will let everyone knows how it turns out with the landlord reference.

Paul Ronto · Answer

My advice is still screen him as you would any other candidate. Pull credit, criminal and eviction history. Set your criteria and stick to it. He could be a great tenant, but he could also be friends with the current landlord after 8 years and just ask him to give him a glowing recommendation (not likely but possible) of like said above, the landlord could just need him out ASAP... There's plenty of scenarios, most likely he's ok, but do your due diligence before you sign a lease.

Good luck, let me know how it goes.

Kelly N. · Answer

Tread carefully.  The current landlord may need to get this guy out in order to sell, so he may be willing to say anything.  I had a similar situation last year, the lady had been in the same place for 4+ years but the property was being sold.  We agreed to rent to her and have regretted it since about 2 weeks after she moved in.  She doesn't work and spends most of her time looking for things to complain about.  I wish I had gone with my gut and not let her in my place, we have two months to go and I can't wait to be done with my nightmare tenant...

Kim Meredith Hampton · Answer

@Jackie Sladky I have a resident selection criteria that goes across the board to all applicants every time. For us 3 Years of rental history, 3 years of employment etc... Do all of your due diligence as you would with every other prospect. If he doesnt meet that, you can deny him. If you allow co-signers and his rental history for eight years looks good, give it a go!

Mike Cumbie · Answer

After 1 place for 8 years. only 1 landlord ref would be valid for me. Assuming all other criteria is met I see nothing that would concern me about him.

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