Can I eliminate this candidate? - Landlord Forum thread

Can I eliminate this candidate? by jannie (IL) on June 20, 2012 @20:06

I am prescreening and brief check before I show the home. The person stated she made 3000 net per month as a home health care worker (seemed high she didn't mention she was a nurse) - husband unemployed. I asked if any pets and said none. I googled the person and found that 2 years ago their pit bull was killed by the police while it was attacking another dog. They moved a year after that because the house sold. They've lived in their current rental 1 year. The phone number and name she gave me for her landlord (when checked the records wasn't the owner). I called the owner he said they pay on time. I asked any pets, no just a dog he sees running around in the area. Thought it might be a stray. Her lease ends mid July and seems in a hurry to find a place. I sense a potential problem, am I being paranoid?

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Re: Can I eliminate this candidate? by NY-LL on June 20, 2012 @20:15	[ Reply ]

The landlord should be able to determine more about the prospective tenants at the viewing. Address any issues which are of concern at the viewing, especially if the prospective tenants show a definitive interest in the premises. Then perform all of the proper screenings on all adult occupants -- there is no actual formula to pre-screen tenants prior to meeting and obtaining a full rental application with documentation for review and verification.

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate?

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate? by Tabby (GA) on June 20, 2012 @20:18	[ Reply ]

No you are not being paranoid. You need proof of income. Check stubs and verify employment. Also you need to run both a criminal and a credit background reports. You need to know how much credit card debt etc is out there. Do not take any renter's word on these things. Be diligent and picky. I learned the hard way and I hope you won't.

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate? by Bunny MAGIC on June 20, 2012 @20:38	[ Reply ]

Please be very cautious about this candidate. I got the following info from one of my friends, who recently "retired" from being a home health care worker. A home health care worker (in CA) usually works for $8 to $12 a day, and usually no more than 8 hrs a day, and generally less hours than 8 hours/day. Usually, a home health care worker is paid by the state or federal government or an agency and so she should be able to provide records, including her tax returns. Agencies that pay a home health care worker often limit how often (i.e. hours per week) the worker may work for an individual. Many home health care workers do work for a number of individuals. Bun

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate? by Jake on June 20, 2012 @20:40	[ Reply ]

If you are asking if you should take a nurse's aid with an unemployed husband, a vicious dog and a fake landlord reference, the answer is no. When they call back, explain that you have not yet verified who the owner of the property is and who the landlord is. Let them know that they should be looking elsewhere and do not leave any hope that you will take them. Then get off the phone before you have to hear their life story.

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate? by Anna Mouse on June 20, 2012 @23:01	[ Reply ]

I wonder if I am reading your post correctly. The way I read it you have not taken an application which is signed by the tenants that states that you are allowed to check the information they have provided. I am not sure of the laws. If they have not signed something allowing you to call and verify are you allowed to call there past landlord? Just looking out for you.

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate?

Re: typo

Re: Can I eliminate this candidate?