renting to a couple/ partners not married

[Kay M.]

I received my first application for a renter. They seem eager to rent, filled out the application on the spot and turned in application fee. From the application, they are partners. One person seems like they have no job but is a student, no good savings, but their partner has a steady job, steady income and good rental history. I have yet to run a credit check because I want to make sure their check goes through first.

Maybe I'm paranoid because this is my first rental, but how would you know if they are both really partners and one person is not just applying to seem like the partner of the other? Reason being that what if one person's credit check will pass, but the other will not. They both have separate addresses so that was a flag to me too. Am I making something out of nothing?

[Account Closed]

Unmarried partners are my worst rental group, they have always had the highest number of broken leases of any group.

My last two such groups both broke their leases within six months even with good credit.

This is especially true when they are just moving in together, separate addresses you mentioned. They break up, one leaves, etc., etc, and you wind up with problems.

Once you have the credit check back, and make sure you get one run on both parties, you will know if one already has a poor credit history. As one is working and one not, you are basically stuck with the one that is working as your primary funder.

If they pass the credit history and criminal check, and there are no other candidates,and you feel pressured to get a tenant, I would make both parties sign the lease, and collect full first, last, and security deposits. No exceptions. I also stress the two-month penalty clause for breaking a lease, Florida statue, you statues may be different depending on where you are.

I might be more flexible with married or single mothers with co-signors,but no flexibility whatsoever with this rental group. All deposits in cash or checks cleared before keys are handed over.

You are right to be concerned with this group of renters, they have always been a headache for me and I avoid them whenever possible.

The only group worse, group of single men..