All Forum Posts by: Luke H.

When tenants leave without giving proper notice.

When tenants don't pay all the rent and leave.

When tenants break things.

How does a landlord report it to a credit agency or any agency?

What are a landlords options?

Any advice, feedback, stories, etc would be great.

Texas

Thank you everyone for replying.  Very good information.

My new score is +620. The online service I use will just let me know if they score 600-700 or not.

@Brian Pleshek, thanks for the screening criteria. I spent a few hours yesterday creating a new rental application from 3 different ones. Includes screening criteria.

@Account Closed, 1-i do not accept evictions, but this house is in a rough area and the applicants I'm getting are all getting declined.

2-Yes, criminal background. Usually anything within 5 years. No one with arson.
3-I only do on high end rentals. no low income. they switch jobs too fast.

4-FICO (from learning here) will now be +620
5, no smoking, music, get together, as long as it is within law and I'm not getting calls from neighbors (and I encourage my neighbors to talk to me).
Yes, I send the Adverse Action letter.

I have an applicant that had an eviction 6 years ago. How far back do you look? Would you be willing to charge more in a case like this?

Team,

What is the average applicants score you require and why?  Do you change this for lower income applicants/ lower income neighborhoods?

I'm using an online screening service that says 650 ◄ (Avg. Renter's score)

Thanks

@Kim Meredith Hampton

@Kim Meredith Hampton
 I do my best to do what I believe is fair and correct/right. Good to know a bit about what they can do in my property. I’ll review the Fair Housing Act information.

@Fred HellerLet's say the credit report shows serious delinquency, and public record or collection filed. Do I just say, "The application was declined due to delinquency. thank you for your interest.”?

@Account Closed
#3-I will review the link but most screening service require a SS#.
#4-Will review the site.
#5- - Let's say the credit report shows serious delinquency, and public record or collection filed. Do I just say, "The application was declined due to delinquency.  thank you for your interest.”?I don’t have a ‘requirements’ form. Will you send me a copy of yours please? Do you give this requirements with the app?

@Lynn McGeeinI think I will switch to this. It just causes me stress to keep them in order and worry about sending their money back. I don’t have a ‘requirements’ form. Will you send me a copy of yours please? Do you give this requirements with the app? I saw smartmove, but the majority of applicants don’t have an email.

@Thomas S.
Your candor is appreciated. I’d like to run my business as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

@Thomas S.

Thank you for your input. I appreciate your no non-sense/ strictly business approach.

Question, I explain that the fee is non-refundable. If I don't process their app for whatever reason should I keep the fee for (driving out to show the property, talking to them, etc)? I have a feeling I already know your answer. Feel free to DirectMessage me your answer

I usually don't accept apps without SS# and will continue to do so.

Question. "Never agree to allow any tenant to do work".  If a potential tenant says I will build a wheelchair ramp just say, "No thank you. Sorry, we aren't doing any extra work to the property. Thanks for your interest."
What if they are already in the house and want to paint a room or add shades to windows?

I'd would be very interest in any reading materials you suggest, audio, websites, or any processes/forms you can share.

True story: Tenants that broke my lease to leave early asked me to prorate the rent for the month they were leaving in and asked me if I would return their deposit. I haven't even taken the property back yet when they asked.  When I told them I couldn't answer them, they told me, "I didn't have a heart and it was all business with me." Shake my head!

Hello team,

Hope all is well and that everyone had good holidays.

I believe that the screening process is the best tool I have for getting quality tenants in my house and avoiding future headaches. I wanted to get some general feedback and direction on the following situations:
1) I am renting my house out and currently accepting applications.

2) To be fair and honest. I tell everyone that I process apps 1 at a time,  in the order received and do not process 1 until I finish with another one. If I don't process their app, I send them their application fee back.  The fee covers the background checks.

2Q) Is there a better way to do this? I don't mean going online as some applicants don't have computers or emails. I mean, what works for you.

3)I often get applicants that do not have ID or SS# (Houston, Texas).
3Q) Should I even accept an application from them?
3Q)Should I accept an application with passport number and ITIN (Individual tax payer number)?

4) I have an applicant that tells me her husband is disabled and her son will help them build whatever ramps or things they need.
4Q)Feedback on this? As a landlord will the city require ME to handle any special needs or special requests they might have? What if they build a ramp and the city deems it is not up to code, could I get into legal issues here?

5Q)If I don't like a potential tenant, how can I decline them renting the property? I want to make sure I am covered legally, be fair to everyone and follow best practices. Maybe there is some inconsistency in their app or let's say they have all the paperwork but I get a bad gut feeling? Example: I had a tenant I thought might be on drugs (the erratic behavior), but they qualified so i rented the property.  Now, I smell drugs when I go into the house.

Please reach me with any question to help clarify and your feedback is much appreciated.

Thank you

@Deanna McCormick & @Greg H., thank you both.  I can tell you both know your stuff and I'm glad Greg knows Texas information. 

I agree with all your points and they have been excellent tenants and that is the reason I am willing to work with them, within reason (meaning I want both months rent cash in hand).

With that being said, I'm thinking of collecting both month's rent, explaining expectations moving forward and probably will not renew at the end of the lease term. This gives them the chance they are asking for and it gives me time to prepare everything I need.  

Thanks again everyone!

@Deanna McCormick, thanks for replaying.  You're right, asking for a payment plan at the court would have been best.  When they answered the judge that they couldn't pay I figured that was it.  The judge didn't ask if I would work with them and I didn't know I could ask (The judge wasn't interested in hearing questions) BUT lesson learned!  

Helpful information thank you!