Class C Neighborhood - Should i rent to this tenant?

[Yash Ranadive]

I bought a SFR in Class C+ neighborhood in Mesquite. The unit's been sitting unrented for a month and a half. Just today my property manager sent me a prospective candidate.

This candidate had 17 lates since 2012 (She has been late 20% of the time), but her previous landlord said they would rent to her again. See attached. Does this fall under typical Class C neighborhood renters? (see attached)

[John Chapman]

There is something wrong here.  Your house should not be sitting vacant for a month and a half unless it's overpriced, in non-showable condition, or there's something else weird going on.  We are in a smoking hot rental market and fairly priced housing flies off the shelf, particularly at $1400/month.   

The recommendation from the former property manager is worthless.  They have no incentive to be honest and every incentive to lie.  

If it were me, I would stop, re-evaluate and figure out why I don't have a flood of applicants.  I would not take the first applicant that comes along.  In this market, and at that price point, you should be able to find more qualified applicants.