Should we pass on a well qualified applicant?

[Jill Peterson]

We received an application for our ADU rental from an extremely well qualified applicant. After meeting this applicant we became concerned because they had so many ammenments they wanted to make to the lease (the lease was not signed nor do we have a deposit from them), insistance of blinds in the kitchen area for privacy, plus we got an overall uneasy feeling about this person. This rental property is above our personal garage and next to our home.

Are we crazy to pass on such a well qualified applicant because we get a bad vibe from them?  What do we tell them for why we are passing on them?

[Matthew Olszak]

If they want blinds they can buy them themselves.

Depends on the class of property. I rent mine as-is, as-seen. Take it or leave it. Lease terms are non-negotiable. First step is do they meet your qualifications. In this case yes. Next is will they accept your terms. In this case? If its no, then on to the next. A candidate that just barely qualifies and accepts your property as they saw it is 10x better than one who overqualifies but is extremely needy.