Questions coming from potential tenant

[Simon L.]

Hi All,

I just want to know all your feed back that I got these following questions from a potential tenant who ask these just a few days before promising to come to sign the lease...are any of these red flags or normal or you find weird, shady, strange?? Let me know your opinions for each one. #2 mentions about some mortgage I am confused....   THanks a lot guys!!

Tenant says: We did have a few questions concerns I am hoping you can help us through:

1. Can the move in date be December 7th instead of December 1? It is a
holiday weekend and we will not be able to find movers in such short
notice to move in. Also, due to holiday weekend my current landlord does
not have time to walk the current apartment before we move out. If this
can be done it will be a huge weight off our shoulders as there is no
sense in paying rent for 2 places.

2. When is rent due? Historically rent is due after the month, so
example after living there for the month of December the rent is due for
December by January 1st. Mortgage is set up differently so wanted to
ensure we are all on the same page here.

3. How are we to pay rent, is a check acceptable? Who do we make it to and what should I say in the memo?

4. Is there Lead Paint in the apartment?

5. What is the responsibilities of the Landlord & Tenant? I am
referring to more of the bigger work orders if there would ever be one.
Example: crack in the ceiling, electric, etc. What is the turnaround
time on these?

[Chris Szepessy]

1) If you rent to them, tell them they can move in whenever, but you need the rent/security for the whole month prior to doing so.

2) I've never heard of rent being due the month after. That's ridiculous. I'd pass on them just for asking a question such as that. lol

3) Fair question.

4) In NY, we're required to give a lead paint disclosure. Not sure where you are or what your local laws are. 

5) This should be in the lease in some way. Asking about the turnaround times is a little weird, though. Different repairs/maintenance take different amounts of time.

Have you met these people in person? Do you have any other interest? I get it's a hard time of year to fill a vacancy, but these potential tenants seem like they're going to be trouble and you'll be evicting them in a month or two, costing you even more money.