One tenant of a couple with poor credit, advice please?

[Scott MacDonald]

Hi All, 

I was looking for some advice on a recent application I have for one side of a Duplex I have listed. I received an application from a couple (boyfriend and girlfriend) who have been living together for the last year with some room mates and are now looking to get their own space. They filled out the application on Cozy and he checks out well; ex-military, currently working while also going to school, no major blemishes (a late cell phone payment years ago is as bad as it gets). However his girlfriend is a different story and has a terrible credit history with repossession of vehicles, multiple collection's and lots of late payments etc with some as recent as a few months ago but all seem to be closed now. 

My approach had always been "If its a maybe, its a no" but I am wondering if there is a way I can protect myself with one of them being such a strong candidate. One option was me looking too have her find a guarantor for the lease with good credit.

Im leaning towards denying the application because I fear its going to get to the point where she won't pay rent if she has a history of not paying bills but the rent is 16.7% of their combined income but she makes 66% of the income as he is at school.

Anyway I was wondering what the forums perspective was and if there are any options to protect myself here or if I should just move in. I do have in my head we are starting to get into a slow period of renting with the holidays coming up.

[Jason D.]

@Scott MacDonald if they were married, I'd possibly take a chance on it, but in your case, I would move on to another candidate. I would think differently if he easily met the income requirements. He doesnt meet income and she doesnt meet credit is a no go for me as an unmarried couple