Dodged a bullet! - Landlord Forum thread

Dodged a bullet! by Susan B. (New York) on July 27, 2012 @20:20

Had a tenant fill out a screening form (thanks LPA). Ran the credit check, very bad, found a bunch of inconsistencies, and a judgement. I happened to know the individual who filed the judgement, and he gave me an EARFUL. Needless to say, I DID NOT rent to this person. Fast forward one year. I have someone who comes in and needs a notarization for an affidavit of service. He is evicting the guy for non-payment, and destroying his property and turning it into a filthy dump. Another endorsement for tenant screening. I can't believe that people even return the application, they have to know how bad they are on paper. Maybe they don't believe you really screen. Tenants always believe they are smarter than landlords.......NOT!

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Re: Dodged a bullet! by Franklin (TN) on July 27, 2012 @21:57	[ Reply ]

Wow... arrogance like yours is the reason landlord tenant laws favor the tenants so much. You feel like because you're a landlord, you're smarter, higher class, wealthier, and overall just a better person in life than anyone who would ever rent from someone. Guess what? Those tenants are what keeps you afloat. Without tenants, you'd be screwed. Without landlords, tenants would be screwed. It's a mutual relationship. Are there stupid tenants? Oh yeah. Are there stupid landlords? Oh yeah. To make a blanket statement and say "Tenants ALWAYS believe they are smarter than landlords... NOT!" is arrogant and shows your immaturity.

Re: Dodged a bullet!

Re: Dodged a bullet! by Franklin (TN) on July 28, 2012 @16:58	[ Reply ]

LOL! You guys are ridiculous. I'm obviously not a landlord? First off, there is no way I'd rent to this person. Why? They aren't qualified, period. Does that make me better than them as a human to the point that I look down at them with disgust and call them morons? No. Maybe I'm just a tad more nice than you. Because I'm nice to them, it doesn't mean I'll rent my property out to them. Nice job of making that gigantic leap. I can guarantee you I am a landlord, I'm just not as much of a hardass as most of you. I have people try to pull one over on me all the time. I just politely decline them. With my screening, I haven't had to evict a tenant or charge greater than the security deposit on any of my many units in the Memphis area this century. Why? I pick the right tenants that won't give me an issue. I don't take the first Joe Blow that walks in with a check. I can afford to have my units empty for a couple months while I find that perfect tenant. I have a VERY good name in the churches around the area, know the pastors, and they send me people who are qualified that just move to the area. I don't discount my rent to them, they're totally willing and able to pay it. They go through the normal screening process like anyone else, and almost always pass it. Kindness can go a long way with the right people. Kindness can get walked all over and taken advantage of with the wrong people. I just have that "people sense" and can tell if I want to rent to someone within 5 minutes of meeting them and if they'll pass the credit/background checks as well. I fell sorry for all of you that have so much distain and hatred towards your tenants and feel they're lower than dirt scum just trying to pull one over on you at all times of the day. That fear and distrust is no way to live.... Get out of landlording if you think every tenant you have is trying to screw you.

Re: Dodged a bullet! by Lara on July 28, 2012 @18:45	[ Reply ]

'Tenants always believe they are smarter than landlords.......NOT! ' If that was really true, then why are there so many 'Landlords' asking for help on this forum that do not know what to do when something goes wrong. Many rent to tenants without even knowing how to evict or let tenants go months without paying rent! Since there are more tenants than landlords, and the odds are that there are many more smart tenants than smart landlords, it could be reasoned that you only rent to dumb tenants and not smart tenants. Thus you believe you are smarter!