Out of state renters?

[Tim Wittenborn]

Hello BP!

Today I gave a showing to a couple in Seattle who are moving here to Chicagoland.  We used Skype.  They both are very nice and the room they were sitting in looked clean.  They love the townhouse and are interested in moving in on January 1st.  They are currently coordinating their move times.

They are moving because the guy got a better job out here.  He assured me that his job is already lined up.  I'm planning on asking for a letter of intent from his employer to confirm that he will have income when he arrives.  Credit scores are both 700+ and background and eviction checks came back clean.  Everything else checks out.

Is there anything else I should be worried about in this situation?  The have confirmed that they are non smokers and that they have one dog (which I'll be getting a pet fee for).  The lease will be very clear that only they are allowed to live in the property with their one dog and that smoking is not allowed.  I have not met them in person.

Would you sign a lease with someone you hadn't met in the flesh?  Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Tim W

[Bettina F.]

My concern would be they end up not being happy with what they could not see on Skype, and you would be stuck with unhappy PITAs.  I would do a shorter term lease, until June 1st,to get you though winter and into easy-to-rent season.

They have a month and sound like they are in a position to afford airline tickets.  SeaTac to O'Hare flights are easy and frequent.  How come they are not coming out to see?