Potential Candidate in Class B

[David Gruszka]

Potential tenant in question and this is my first time renting tenants in this area. It’s a Class B maybe B- neighborhood right across the river from a Class C town attracting opportunists that steal if you leave something out or unlocked.

The tenants has a few red flags and I’d like some input on them after listening to some rental books. She is the only one that applied after the process and my wife said she was very nice to talk to and pleasant. Previous landlord has only one late payment in the past two years and no problems. Names are not given.

1) Credit score less than 650 with 24 derogatory marks.
Potential Solution: is cosign with a close family member to alleviate payment issues.
2) Wanting to close her storefront and run the business in our house. Town violations, fees, client liability would all be directly onto us.
Potential solution: Get business related insurance (either through rental or umbrella), and town permission to run a business here.
3) Not being entirely truthful of questionnaire when asked about history. Mentioned a fight in ____ but didn’t mention this drug felony in ______.

Potential Solution: None
4) First class drug related felony 7 years ago.
Potential Solution: Call ______  police and see how heavily her involvement is/Talk to _____ about this issue. May not be resolvable.

So the above outlines my concerns. I’ve worked in the legal business for the Navy and it’s not a problem to get police reports and get an RFI from the tenant. Would you give her a chance or would you repost the property, spend more time interviewing potential candidates, and possibly miss a month rent. She has been extremely responsive, polite, etc in all communication. I just don’t want to decline her application and run into the exact same tenant applicants in the future because that’s the area

Thank you in advance for your response and wisdom,

David