All Forum Posts by: Carl Gipson

Renting out a condo to two roommates. One moved out of state for a job and the other put out an ad for a sub-lessee. One response was from a coordinator for a group called the Opportunity Council, which helps transition people in school get back into the workforce. The group pays the rent and utilities. I don't know much about this group. Anyone know anything or something similar? Group's website: http://www.oppco.org/

Agreed. I would provide a minimum of one active jack (probably office or kitchen area) and the rest of the rooms can have a cordless extension handset, which don't require a separate jack. Most people today aren't even interested in landlines anyway. 

@Steve B. Thanks Steve. I certainly plan on stratifying the applicants based on what the third-party screening company produces. In the event of a "tie" (income, history all on par with each other) I planned on offering it to the first party that applied of the 'best' group. Does that make sense? If no tie, than best qualified applicants is offered the property. 

@Steve Babiak True and good point. This couple applied in person during my open house on Saturday, than today, unbeknownst to them, their relocation person contacted me to set up a viewing. Turns out their relocation helper did not know they had already applied. So when we figured that out she mentioned her clients had been offered another place but liked my property better. So I'm certainly leery of it, but the relocation person works for a legitimate business (I verified it online) so I'm cautiously optimistic that it's not a scam.

@Christopher Leon Thanks for the feedback. I do plan on screening based on first-come, first-served order. I hadn't thought about time-stamping the applications so thanks for that. Just want to get good tenants but you're right in that a discriminatory complaint would be the worst possible way to start things out.

Quirky question. Held an open house this past weekend. Received several good applications. Everything out for screening which will take a few days because I am newly-registered landlord. A couple that looks great on paper has been accepted elsewhere but likes our property better. Can I ask to see their acceptance letter for the other property (not mine) and use that to kick them to the head of the line? Don't want to lose potentially great tenants due to screening delays. It's relying on other screening that I didn't pay for...but I don't want to do anything unethical/illegal either.

Thank you.

I had a similar experience this weekend (Seattle). Several qualified applications (at first glance anyway) and still people are blowing up my email and voicemail. I am planning on screening the first batch that came in from the initial open house and will offer to the best verified candidates and in the event of a tie, go down the list in order received. I'm still considering holding a second open house to get more applications just in case... anyone do more than one open house if you already have applications in hand? Just nervous about losing them before the screening process is completed. 

Thanks for the info. As a newbie Seattle landlord (soon-to-be) I need this info. I'm also not the LEAST bit surprised that the city is going after more $$$$. Ironically, there will be outcry about how expensive rent is in the city, but the same people complaining about rent are making it more expensive to rent out our property. Sheesh.