Applicant - accept or not?

[Lois S.]

Nice older SFH in a B to upper-C class area - meaning it's not easy to find the perfect tenant here.

So we did background & credit checks on a potential tenant. Two previous LLs, both out of state, said they'd rent again to our applicant. Those were SFH in what looks to me (from viewing on Google) like slightly less desirable area than ours. One tenancy was 5 years, the other 1 year - 2 different states.

Applicant claims they're moving to save some money & be closer to work. She has a good job with adequate income & an extra 2K income from a verifiable source.  We had a good impression at the house showing.

Now the current apt. manager responded to my verification request saying applicant paid late several times, was served a 3-day notice for an unauthorized pet. Would not rent to her again.  Darn!

Would you rent to her, but ask for extra SD?  Require frequent inspections?

Decline?