Is This An Undercover Co-Signer Attempt

[Iesha Padilla]

I have had a young couple apply for my 2bed 1bath apartment in my multiunit. The girlfriend is unemployed and stays home looking after the couples 1 year only son. Her credit score is 522.

The boyfriend has a 615 credit score and has had a job since April 2019 working at the same company his father manages. He is only bringing in about $2,500/mo. He and his girlfriend alone do not meat the income requirement for this rental, as it is $1,075/mo +$1,075 security deposit.

This is where it gets interesting:

The boyfriends father also filled out an application to be a co-applicant. Under reasons for moving he has: "This is my first time renting. I own a house in Heber, CA, but due to a change in my personal circumstances I will be moving out." (mind you, everyone applying here currently lives together). His credit score is 776, no total debt, and is bringing in about $4,500/mo. He said that he would be able to afford the mortgage on his current home and the rent required at the rental property, because he says his wife pays a portion of the mortgage too.

Upon conduction a walkthrough of the property, I was told last minute that the father could not make it (so now it is just the couple and their child). I told them that they could do the walkthrough, but if I haven’t rented out the property yet and the father still wanted to see it himself, that he would be welcome to schedule a viewing. The girl friend said that the father if very busy and travels at least 6 months out of the year and wouldn’t be here at the property often.

For me, red flags seem to be popping up all over the place. Are they attempting to use the father as an undercover co-signer and should I decline the application? and if so, on what grounds can I do this?

This is my husband and I's first time renting to people, as we are first time landlords. Any and all advise is welcome. Thanks

[Mindy Jensen]

Originally posted by @Iesha Padilla:

...

For me, red flags seem to be popping up all over the place. Are they attempting to use the father as an undercover co-signer and should I decline the application? and if so, on what grounds can I do this?

This is my husband and I's first time renting to people, as we are first time landlords. Any and all advise is welcome. Thanks

I love that you're recognizing the red flags. I see a lot of them as well.

I would sit down with your husband and write out criteria for who you will rent to.
Minimum credit score (650is a number I see frequently)
Minimum income (3X rent, verifiable by check stubs and a call to HR) 
Maximum number of tenants in the unit (most places state 2 per person, plus one additional person)
Pets (yes or no. Deposit or fee? A deposit is refundable, a fee is not)
Past Evictions? (some states do not allow you to screen for past evictions, learn your landlord tenant laws)
Criminal History? (Again, some states do not allow you to screen for criminal history.)
Landlord Referral (not the current landlord, the one before that. If they won't answer, that's an answer itself.)

Please note that you cannot discriminate against any number of reasons that are found in fair housing, including familial status, race, gender, sexual orientation among many others.

Write out your criteria and do not deviate from it. So many new landlords will let their criteria down a little for someone. Don't be tempted. It never ends well. I've heard countless stories of landlords who say "My worst experience with a tenant was when I made an exception.

Screen over the phone before giving the address and setting up a showing. If they don't meet your criteria, then they don't get the information. 

If you catch them in ANY lies, they are out. 

Get yourself a rock solid lease. 

Never accept partial rent payments or partial deposits. You want tenants who can easily afford the property, not excuses for why their rent is late.