3 prospective tenants, a tough decision and a rookie

[Paul Chen]

I have 3 prospective tenants for my room rental in a SFR under this slow market (vacant for 4.5 mos): A sex offender when he was 17 but he’s 50 now (he told me about it only after I said I had to run a background check). A mother with a 5 y.o. kid who was quite loud in the background when she called me up about the room. An 80 y.o. lady who seems in good health; no cane needed; good hearing and responds; filled out most of the application (size of print is around 12 point) with her glasses on and an intelligent conversationalist.

If I picked the 80 y.o. lady, what kind of complications will I be running into down the road? Such as my house isn’t equipped for an elder tenant, Protected Tenant Law (over 65?) and… besides the positive side of hers.

Or should I just wait until someone else comes along?

Thanks for your advises.

Paul

[Michael Rossi]

Forget the sex offender - you don't need that! As for the other two, if they are both qualified, I'd take the 80 year old woman. Young, single women with a kid and no husband are often a LOT of drama. Boyfriends can be a HUGE problem - especially when they move in. Failing to take care of their kids can be a HUGE problem - especially when they are loud and disturb the neighbors. Given the choice, I'd take the 80 year old!