All Forum Posts by: Iesha Padilla

Great advice Jim. Thanks again!

@Jim Cummings it has crossed my mind to do that. My issue is that... what it clearly looks like they are trying to do... and what they are actually telling me is the case.

Is it even legal for me to ask them if this is what their intentions are?

@Joe Splitrock thanks for sharing. I didn’t know that an applicant could apply once and then use it for other landlords on Zillow. How nice!

@Jaquetta T Ragland thanks. I think we’ll keep looking.

Thanks @Curtis Mears. I will check that out.

@Mary M. There is no walking this property without submitting an application. I need that criminal background done before that. Maybe a little different than you might do things out there.

Thanks for the feedback.

@Carly Turow agree.

@Bill O'Donnell appreciate the response. I definitely want to protect myself.

@Mary M. They are paying for the application and within that application comes the credit check and the criminal records check. I can see qualified tenants willing to pay.

What I have had is people contacting me via phone and email instead of just clicking the application button on the site, because maybe they are not qualified applicants and just don’t want to spend that money... I can only see that it may get kind of expensive if they’re applying for multiple apartments at once.

I see it as just another way to weed unqualified people out. At the end of the day it protects me and my investment. 

Hello Mary,

I am not screening and charging people. I use apartments.com and Zillow.com as a means for interested parties to apply directly. When they apply, they are will aware that there is an application fee through those platforms for applying. 

I can then screen all candidates against all that they have SELF-REPORTED on their applications. If things don't add up, matchup, they don't meet the income threshold, background check doesn't check out, or there is unwillingness to be forthcoming on even the most basic of information, then I don't extend and invitation to tour the property. I do this because I do have other tenants with their families residing here and I don't want anyone coming to the property that could ever pose a security risk to them. 

I'm just not sure where you might be getting that I screen and charge anyone. Please clarify...

Thanks