How to migitage risk for tenant with bad history

[Michel Ho]

Hi all,

If you had an applicant with bad history ( eviction last year, and bad credit) and thinking of giving this person a chance, how would you set the terms? Rent? Special clause? Safety deposit amount? Any special condition that can help me evict quickly if it comes to that?

I'm in Texas by the way, not sure if this is important. I have never evicted anyone so I don't know the cost or the process.

[Jason D.]

@Michel Ho My off topic question would be, why do you not want the best tenant you can get? What makes you want to help this person who, likely, will follow the same pattern as they have in the past?

My on topic answer would be to charge a higher deposit (check local laws for maximums that you can charge), or some sort of incentive, like 5% off rent paid early.

I would also not enter into a long term lease. Keep it month to month so you can get out more easily, if necessary.