It doesn’t really matter why a reservation is cancelled; there are a myriad of good and valid reasons to cancel a plane trip, house rental, or appointment with your shrink.  

And I could do everything by appointment. 

So, I had to wait until spring to schedule and get the work done, according to nature and according to the surveyors work schedule (I've heard local surveyors are currently two months out with appointments).Once I got the survey done, I found out my neighbor had likely moved the property marker during the time I lived there, in between the time I first demanded a retreat and the time I did the survey.

One of the things I added to my criteria, was that I denied people who were late to appointments (gave them a 15 minute window only, unless they called and had a good reason like they were stuck in gridlocked traffic), if they didn't call back when they said they would, or drop off documents when they said they would, etc. 

If yes to everything, then make an appointment to show it.Another thing I did, was I let the calls go to voicemail. 

One of my criteria was that I denied anyone who didn't fill out the application completely, after I said I need it completely filled out (which I always did), or if they didn't give me documents when they said they would, or if they were late to an appointment without calling me with a verifiable or acceptable reason (stuck in traffic - hello Google map traffic showing if there is a back-up ....), etc.So, if you told all applicants what documentation they needed to provide you, and applicant A didn't do that without you having to ask them, as if you are their parent reminding them to do their homework, and applicant B was responsible, then take applicant B.I also told applicants that I rented to the first person who met my criteria and also signed a contract and gave me a deposit, and until I got all of those things, I would keep looking.So, if you'd really rather take applicant B, and you can tell applicant A that they dilly dallied too long, that's a perfectly acceptable reason to deny them. 

Joe Turdnugget is now by virtue of the filing on all of our radar.If you want- show up for the calendar call on the appointed day and get a default.This "I can't be bothered approach" is lazy landlording in my book.

Perhaps a visit to the water company together for a scheduled appointment with a supervisor is best, but don't know if this is feasible with the coronvirus threat these days.Whatever balance is outstanding after all these efforts I would probably propose to the tenant to split it after pointing out the clause in your lease.

If you do go with applicant #2 appoint one of them as contact person and you chose-ie make sure it isn't the one who is difficult to get along with.

Please note: viewings are by appointment only and only those who fill in the following information will be contacted to schedule a time to view this property.