Renters living out of the area

[Ron H.]

How do you handle potential renters that want to rent from you sight unseen or has anyone rented this way?  I have had several inquiries from people living in Puerto Rico that are in the process of moving to FL.  They want to line up a place to live before moving.  I have always done an informal pre-screen,  talked to people in person and then a formal background check before renting to get a good feel for them and am not fully comfortable renting sight unseen - however I don't want to turn down someone that passes a background check and seems to be a good fit.  I'm also not sure how good a background check is (Cozy?) for residents of Puerto Rico.  Note:  B class neighborhood.  Any suggestions?  Thanks

[Michele Fischer]

Our properties are B class as well.

We have found that applicants from other countries are very difficult to screen.  I don't think you should feel bad about denying them if you cannot follow your normal screening process to completion, but I'd give it a try at least and try to think creatively about how to get comfortable with them.  The one we took a chance on did not even stay a month.

We have also found that applicants from outside the area often do not stay long.  In a less desirable neighborhood, it is better to rent to applicants who know exactly what they are in for, who have generationally lived in that area.  They will stay longer, which reduces your costs and hassles.

I might suggest having a video chat with the applicants.  You can show them the unit virtually and guage their reactions.  It is a huge red flag if they truly don't care about the features, if they are just desperate to take anything.  You can also ask them a lot of questions, for more clues and information.  Brainlsit a long list of non-discrimnatory quesitons and see where the conversation goes.