Rental Applicants: All kinds of crazy!

[Rob K.]

I recently received a call from someone about a house I have for rent. The call was from another state. In the past, I didn't receive many out of state calls because people were leaving Michigan by the truckload and few were entering. Now our economy is getting better, so people seem to be moving back.

This particular guy saw pictures on the internet and said he loved the house. He asked a lot of good questions and seemed to have it all together. He wanted the house, but wouldn't be in town for another week when his company transferred him and asked me if I could hold the house for him. I replied that I can't hold it without a deposit. He said that he knew the area since he used to live here and would take the house and wanted to send me a deposit. I told him to hold his horses. I emailed him an application and told him to mail it back with the fee. He was afraid the house would be gone, so he emailed me the application and check stubs and sent the fee by Western Union. I was impressed with how fast I had everything.

When I received the application, everything looked good. Solid job with good pay. Next, I ran his credit and eviction check. Uh oh. Eleven court cases filed by a previous landlord. (Yes, 11!!!) Before I knew it, he was calling me. He really wanted this houses. I asked him about the adress that came up on the eviction report, but wasn't on the application. Total silence. Next he went on with a bunch of excuses about what had happened. Said he was late a "few times" and they were fast to file papers, but he "always paid them". I told him there was no way I could rent to him based on this past history.

This is when he jumped on the train to crazytown. He started screamimg about how I had "taken his money" (the application fee) and was going to "steal his identity". (As if anyone would want the identity of a deadbeat). I told him that I run a legitimate business and he has nothing to worry about. He then started crying and sobbing about how no one will give him a chance, the economy was bad, his relative was murdered, he lost his job, he had to sell his car, he goes to church now, he has changed, blah blah blah. I just listened to him vent. I didn't want him to vandalize my house when he got to town.

After a few minutes, he calmed down. I again explained to him that I have certain criteria and he didn't meet it. It finally sunk in and he seemed normal. I'm glad I order those eviction reports. I don't want someone in my house and then have them go cuckoo for cocoa puffs.

Anyone else have any crazy applicants?