All Forum Posts by: Maria G.

@Michael Deering: :))

@Greg M.: Another good point about A is that one will almost never be home (super busy resident) and the other works part-time at home and takes the dog to the office. So very little wear and tear...

I've been asking them questions throughout the day and see how they respond (other than checking their references). And yes, I also like long-term tenants.

@Greg M.: Yeah, I worried about A for the same reason, and her response was not reassuring: "I have good prospects in being hired in <prestigious hospital> but haven't decided if that's what I want at this point." To their credit, she was an undergrad here and returned after medical school, so she seems to like the area, but... 

C makes me think that it may take a few years to move out both because of the child and because I would think government salaries are more stable than high-tech where they may soon get a super raise and then look for a house to buy. 

B: I wondered if it would not be a bad thing because one of them would then move out, leaving the other one there, say, if she gets a boyfriend, and then mom moves to another place.

D: The thing is, they work for a high-tech giant, so even though my min is 2.5x, I am pretty sure that they will soon get a lot more money. What I did not like about them is the lack of landlord record, as the only landlord they've had (after mom and dad) was her uncle... but their work and personal references had only wonderful words about them.

In the references I've been able to check for all of them (about 50% done), no red flags so far.

I have 4 solid candidates, which is making it hard for me to select:

A: Doctor (ending residency in a year at a major hospital) and engineer (working for a big high-tech company), moving from 40 miles away to be closer to work. 750-800 credit, 4.1 income-to-rent ratio, 40lb Husky dog (not an ESA, but professionally trained). I talked to the current landlord (where they've resided for 4.5 years) and he said he didn't notice any damage at all (in the two inspections since they got the dog) and they are great communicating. 

B. Junior engineer (working for a big high-tech company) and mom (REI agent, self employed), moving from out of state because of the "back to the office" policy from the high-tech company. 750 credit, 4.3 income-to-rent ratio, 13lb Cavapoo dog. My property is 15 minutes walking to the engineer's work. They can't offer landlord references for the dog because they got the dog after they purchased the current property, but they promise he's very well behaved.

C. Police officer and part-time spouse with a 9-month-old baby. 780-800 credit, 5.2 income-to-rent ratio. 

D. Engineer and trainer (both working for the same big high-tech company as B, in another nearby location one of them and at home the other one), moving from out of state. 800 credit, 2.4 income-to-rent ratio, 2 adult cats. They provided a letter from a prior landlord who stated that even though they got the apartment furnished, the landlord didn't find a scratch even in the furniture.

(I will check landlord references for B, C, and D tomorrow.)

I have my thoughts of what I think would make me lean to each, but I don't see a major pull to any. Personally they were all very nice too. Do you have any thoughts?

Thank you!

@Laleh Omaraie: Just to make it clear and you'll see that in my original post--I think declawing is cruel. The four points were taken from a thread in BP.

I have had about 40 cats in my life and some have scratched wooden door frames. I was trying to hear from others what damage their tenants' have caused.

@James Wenzel: Thanks for letting me know your fees.

What do others charge per kind of pet, both deposit and rent?

Thanks!

Now somebody wrote saying they have a "40 lb professionally trained husky mix."... oh, God! 

Other than that they are doctors and engineers (at prominent hospitals and companies)...

@Patricia Steiner: It sounds reasonable, the only caveat is not having another candidate and having to say yes or face legal consequences. I hope I don't get there... (there seems to be interest--I have 7 families signed up for the next viewing)

@Nathan Gesner: Wow, what a pain! As for door trims, if that were to happen, what kind of person do you get to do it? 

@Adam Martin: I haven't had a cat in 20 years (but I had many growing up), so I think I can detect the odor and I didn't. But I did notice many cat scratching stations, so I figure they are not just an ornament...

@Jonathan R McLaughlin: I am not sure what you mean. Or you may just be kidding :)

I still want to know if anyone has ever requested a letter from the prior landlord stating the cat did not damage anything.

Thanks!

@Patricia Steiner: And what do you do when you encounter a tenant who brings an ESA pet? By law, at least in California, you cannot say no, so this is one of the reasons why I feel hesitant to say no upfront.

@Nathan Gesner: You say "scratches are easy to fix," even in walls? In another thread someone mentioned they can destroy blinds, for example. (I copied an pasted the words from the thread, thanks for the correction--neutered.) As for the petscreening.com recommendation, how do they check?

Does anyone require the letter from previous landlords?

Hello,

I know there are many opinions, but I still want to hear them. I have so far not allowed cats in one of my properties (condo) but there is a seemingly good couple who has applied and has an indoor cat, so I'm debating what to do. I was even invited to see their current apartment and I met the cat. I sensed that the cat was scared or in some way problematic because they kept him in their arms and they warned me when I pet him. I am a cat lover and it was all good, but I sensed something was not quite right (the breed listed on the application is "Maine coon tabby mix"). I am not worried about cat pee because the cat is already 8 years old, but I am afraid of having the cat scratch the kitchen cabinets and the walls. Did you ever face that problem? Also, they currently live on the second floor, but this condo (with upstairs and downstairs) has a patio, so I wonder if the cat will really not go out...

In a SFH, I allowed a cat and aside from a small frayed area of the carpet, it was OK (my other property has only vinyl and tile, no carpet). The tenants were particularly good maintaining the house.

I've been reading a thread that suggests to require the following in order to allow a cat:

1. Resume/Biography for the cat (including vaccinations).

2. Declawed and Neutralized

3. Letter from previous Landlord that the cat never damaged anything in the house in 3 years.

It sounded reasonable other than "declawed," which sounds cruel to me. 

Other than that, the couple seems fine (and their financial situation is very good, but taking them means facing these risks and not taking them means waiting to have another application come in.

Thanks!