All Forum Posts by: Kimberly H.

Whew!  It took me 2 days to send the email.  It felt like I was making a family homeless.  I need to grow a set for this business.  I'm usually a tough cookie, but this real estate landlord business is not for the softies.  You will lose money if you can't make hard decisions and think business minded ($$$).  

Check your emotions at the door, because it's not for the warm and fuzzies. 

Well, on to the next set of applicants.

I actually feel so much relief deciding to move on.  Hopefully I find a good applicant this weekend.  

Baltimore city is a tough market.  I'm going to stick to my criteria and evaluate more closely.  I understand it might not be cut and dry, but at least if I stick to the "deal breakers" I should be "safer".  Nothing is every 100%. 

The house is on Auchentoroly Terr/Liberty Heights.  Baltimore is block to block, so it happens to be on a very good block, diverse residents, and the zoo directly across the street. 

Thanks @Jeremiah Stephen  You guys make excellent points if I stick to my criteria then the emotions are automatically put to rest.  I have decided to decline her. Too many red flags and again, I don't want to set myself up for future criminal discrimination issues.  I'm going to do a pre-screening and explain all guidelines up front.  Most will not pay the fee, if they know they don't meet the requirements. 

Here's a copy of the letter.  Actual I got the sample off of smartmove.  

ADVERSE ACTION NOTICE

CONFIDENTIAL – TO BE OPEND BY ADDRESSEE ONLY

January 14, 2016

Dear XXXXX

Thank you for your recent rental application for XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, . After a review of the provided information, we find that we are unable to accept your rental application at this time. Principle reason(s) for denial:

oTemporary or irregular employment

oUnable to verify employment

oUnable to verify income

oLength of residence

oDelinquent past or present credit obligations with others

oNo Credit file

oDelinquent past or present rental obligations

oBankruptcy

oCriminal Record

oEviction filing or judgment

oGarnishment, attachment, foreclosure, repossession, collection action, judgment

This decision was based in whole or in part of the information provided to us in a Consumer Report or Investigative Consumer Report prepared for us by TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions. Their mailing address and phone number are listed below:

TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions

(address)c

TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions plays no part in the decision to take any action on your rental application and is unable to provide you with specific reason(s) for not accepting your application.

You have the right to a free copy of the report within 60 days of receipt of this notice and to dispute the completeness or accuracy of any information in the consumer report issued by TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions with us.

Sincerely,

Thanks guys so much for taking the time out to respond and give me so much valuable information.

I'm going to sit down tonight and do a complete evaluation including property search for the current owner of the property where she's living now and previous.   Most likely I will decline them.  I have 3 additional showings this weekend.  Fingers crossed!  I'll definitely report back. 

Should I do an adverse decline letter based on credit.  That's probably the legal way to decline.  Your thoughts?

@Scott Titus - Thanks a lot. You are so right.  Gotta take the emotions out of it. Thumbs up!

@Kevin Yeats - Thank.  I will read that. 

Well, looks like I'm going to keep looking. It might take me a few weeks/months, but quality and success is what I want in the long run. 

@Jeremy Paschedag - yes, she has a car loan and no late payments. Wait, looking at her report she co-signed for another car. She has two active car loans.  She has student debt and she's almost paid those off.   This is way up in the air. 

Ummmm.... @Tyrus Shivers - You have a good point there.  I can be honest something is giving me pause.  I think I will give her the option on paying 2 months security. 

@Tom Ott - I used smartmove.  I have a copy of the credit report.  She filed for bankruptcy in 2013.  Has a few late (auto), back when she was out of work 9 months ago. I have the pay stubs, all checks out.

No criminal (Maryland has criminal & civil search) nothing.  Smartmove indicated no prior eviction.  I will call her current landlord, but that can be a friend.  So, I take that with a grain of salt if is totally glowing.

Of course @Cal C..... I totally get it.  This is such a touch thing for us newbies.  I'm so emotional its crazy.  I looked at her birthday and it's on me and my husbands anniversary day.  Isn't that the stupidest thing you've heard.  Lord knows, I want to succeed.  

I used bigger pockets smartmove just FYI.  I didn't talk to her currently landlord yet, but judging by the caps in your post. I need to move on. 

Thanks for responding