First time landlord: Red Flag?

[Alyssa K.]

Have an applicant I was really excited about, wants to move in soon, makes substantially over 3X, states they have good credit (haven’t ran it yet), employer and previous landlord references check out...the weird thing...his wife has been doing all the communication, and came to the showing alone. I’ve never met him or spoken to him. At the showing she told me they are separating, his choice, and that’s why they are looking for a new place for him to go with the kids. Normally I don’t think I’d worry about the state of someone’s relationship as a factor, however he is a trucker, and his employer described him as a partner in the company, and said they work with his wife just as much as him. She coordinates his jobs, and they own the trucks he drives together. So my concern is the state of the relationship seems like it could have a pretty substantial impact on his future ability to earn his income. Something y’all would factor in? Or just do your due diligence and approve. I realize I can’t predict the future of anyone’s relationship and the impact it will have on their ability to pay rent, but being a newb, I’m wanting to take every logical precaution.

[Mark Bookhagen]

You need to meet the tenant before renting to him. Otherwise, keep looking. Being patient with finding a quality tenant is paramount, especially when you don't have a lot of units to offset one or two bad apples.