Assumptions - Landlord Forum thread

Assumptions by P-Bone in WNY (NY) on February 6, 2012 @11:59

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This is less of a question and just more of an observation as of late.

I recently listed one of my apartments for rent and still cannot fathom the overall assumptions that are made by prospective tenants. There is a real belief that just by seeing the apartment and asking how much they need to put down, that they can have it and start moving in. I can't believe they just have the gall to assume that since its empty, it can immediately by theirs, no questions asked.

I constantly have to stop and say, "I just have to get you a copy of the application and run a credit check and get some other documents from you (paycheck stubs, etc) and then we can go from there." Immediately following that statement, the sob story starts about a dead parent and not being able to live in the house anymore and how they won't ever find a place to live, hanging their head down.

That's when I just basically go silent and show them to the door.

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Re: Assumptions by Bryan (Ia) on February 6, 2012 @12:19	[ Reply ]

I eliminate this by telephone prescreening before I even show my units.

Re: Assumptions by Jake on February 6, 2012 @12:37	[ Reply ]

"There is a real belief that just by seeing the apartment and asking how much they need to put down, that they can have it and start moving in." What the "lookers" never seem to understand is that it is not them who chooses you, it is you who must choose them. They fail to care anything about making a good impression. Some smell like alcohol. And, they show up with no money but so particular and picky. They go digging into the cabinets and opening the refrigerator and stove. But when they move in they live like pigs and leave the place looking like pigs lived there.

Re: Wasted time by Anna Mouse on February 6, 2012 @12:39	[ Reply ]

I screen via email questions and then move to the telephone conversation all prior to wasting anyones time at a showing. You are doing the right thing as why set yourself and the tenant up to fail. That would be the worse thing is to condemn both of you by not screening. I hear what you are saying though. I have had some very irate people during the screening process whom are very angry because they were unable to even view the property. I receive about 10 calls a day when advertising my property. I will say the sheer volumn of calls required me to use a letter as a screening tool. The volumn was a blessing as I was not looking at 1 to 4 prospects but realized I must put a process in place. If they had a parent die that is truely sad. I would not know this story though because they would not get in my door without knowing they were likely qualified to pay for the property. We cannot assume anything unless we have facts.

Re: Wasted time

Re: Assumptions by Anonymous on February 6, 2012 @14:49	[ Reply ]

Stop showing your place to unquailfied tenants! These people feel entitled to your place beause they feel entitled. Use the LPA pre-screening card in your ads, and require that they answer all the questions before you will consider them. If you consider one of them worthy, gather all the data you can about them short of a credit check, and then verify that they have the necessary certified funds, first, last and SD required to move in. Then and only then, show them the place. I went through over 150 prospective tenants and found only five that were qualified. That is only 3% of all applicants. The rest are riff-raff. I showed my house to the five and one of them rented it. You gotta be strict!

Re: Assumptions by Anonymous on February 6, 2012 @18:28	[ Reply ]

They KNOW that they will not be good candidates and are trying to rush you into a yes. They have done it before and get quite slick at smooth talking their way in. Stick to your guns with complete background and credit checks. I have been there.....actually had a guy say flat out..."I can't pay the rent every month"...sheesh. I got burned by some smooth talkers. Never again. Must pass all checks, period.

Let me add... by P-Bone in WNY (NY) on February 7, 2012 @07:46	[ Reply ]

I agree with everying. Generally, pre-screening via phone calls inquiring about the apartment are the best way to go. Personally, I generally get most of my inquiries from my sign outside the building. I have not formally advertised elsewhere, therefore, many times when they call, they are standing in front of the property. Since I live in the property, at times it's just as easy to show it to them right then and there. As stated, in all other cases I usually make it pretty clear of my screening requirements and can get most of them to disqualify themselves, but if they call saying they are outside, it's kind of easier to just show it.

Re: Let me add...