All Forum Posts by: Ted Klein

@Michael Noto I have not ran their credit just yet. Still waiting on tenant to verify income. It could end up being a moot point. I do have min income and credit requirements in the ad, so hopefully they read the ad before they submitted their application. 

@Kyle J. That was what I expected, just wanted to run it by the community to get confirmation from others who had been there. As I had mentioned we did it before on month-to-month basis but that was an easier way to get them out when they didn’t leave on their own. Thx

@John Teachout Yeah we are getting  First, Last & Security, So I guess if there is a problem, at least I got a month to get it cleared out till it starts to hurt. Hopefully they are a good match and stay a long time...

@John Teachout I have had this situation before but at the time we were renting the properties we had on a month to month basis so we had an option if there was a split. Twice it occurred where one of them split out or had lost their jobs and the other one was unable to afford it on their own. We had one when the main breadwinner split out and we had to call the cops on the squatter. As soon as they showed up he was out. 

This time we are asking for a year lease so I wanted to be sure we were making the right decision since I don't want to refuse them as they appear to be a good option.

@Byron Scott Thanks Byron, That is what I had planned on doing, just wasn't sure if that was the best option. It makes sense to get them both on the hook.

Hello BP, I have a question on what to do in the scenario where I have an unmarried couple that I would like to rent to. Problem is, that one of them makes most of the money of their combined income. My concern is that if they were to split up, then the other one would not be able to afford the rent on their own.

Do I write a lease were the primary breadwinner is the sole leasee or do I just go ahead and write a joint lease where they are both on the lease and hope that they stay together.

The candidates appear to be very responsible, clean and drove a clean car. I might add, that one of them works in the law enforcement field and is well qualified, so on the surface, they appear to be a very good choice for a tenant.

Just looking for suggestions on how to handle a possible situation that might end badly.

Seattle Washington, Snohomish County, Puget Sound

@Christine Smith

Hey Christine, I don’t think your process is too different from what we are doing as we definitely do the pre-screen, and then invite all interested parties to an open house with a limited time window. I don’t want to sit around waiting on no-shows and spend all day showing the unit.

I also offer the qualified, gut checked candidates to submit an application. The only difference I see is that we have a 3x income requirement and a higher minimum credit score.

I have also quit communication with the questionable candidates, so our processes are actually pretty much about the same as yours. 
I like hearing about other landlords processes 

@Bjorn Ahlblad I will look at the WA LL assoc. website. I have heard that they were a good source for the forms.

@Christine Smith What I meant was that even with all of the pre-screening questions, interview, and confronting the prospect about your findings on Facebook, they are still insistent on getting the application and going forward. When I have found negative traits on their Facebook account and I clearly don't want them in my property, how would you deal with this?

@Christine Smith Thanks for the feedback. I looked at Cozy when we were first getting started and ended up going with the trans union app. You say that it doesn’t ding their credit scores. I don’t think that the Trans Union does either as the tenant initiates the transaction theirselves. Our unit is local, but regardless, your recommendation on both credit and background checks is just as important as a long distance property. Funny how one’s gut instinct is usually the best indicator. I have found a wealth of information on prospects on Facebook, just wondering how to handle the situation where you find negatives and the person is insistent on the application without being biased.