Re: Is this considered a verbal agreement - Landlord Forum thread 321939

Re: Is this considered a verbal agreement by Andrea on July 28, 2014 @14:04

You don't say how long you've been renting out this particular property, but since you stated that you joined the LPA to "get help on doing better screenings," it sounds as if you may have already been burned by poor screening in the past.

It sounds like you and your dad need to sit down and decide on your rental criteria for this particular property. This may be a minimum credit score, a particular income level (usually 3 to 4 times the rent), good references, etc. Ideally, it would be a combination of all of the above plus a clean criminal background check. Being on the same page regarding your criteria will save you from these situations in the future.

But regarding the current circumstance, others here have made valid points. I would particularly focus on the illegal squatter situation, since they clearly described their intention of moving the grown son into the basement. Based on your description, it sounds like this space does not meet your local code as a bedroom. If that's true, just tell them you've checked into it and that the liability is too great and makes you uncomfortable. No one can make you or your dad knowingly violate the law.

If you do proceed for some reason, by all means get the adult son on the lease! And don't worry about offending them by requiring credit checks, etc. Presumably, they should expect that to be part of any rental process.

Good luck...

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Re: Is this considered a verbal agreement by LEE on July 28, 2014 @16:49	[ Reply ]

Thanks for your advice. Been renting this house for 40 yrs, (was our personal home) and never a problem ever until this last tenant of 9 yrs. My dad is so anxious to rent it he completely disregarded giving them application or doing credit/background check. My gut doesnt trust this situation even though the female is a friend. And we dont want anyone in the basement. Just wanted to make sure they couldnt come back on us saying it was a verbal contract. Thanks again, going to be better at screening because of this!

Re: Is this considered a verbal agreement by jannie (IL) on July 28, 2014 @19:34	[ Reply ]

Just a heads up... one of our most annoying tenants was a "friend". This was when we were Long Distance LL and agreed to rent to them.. made rookey mistakes, but long story short. They paid slow, wanted the moon and basically lied about how long they were planning to stay -- we were left scrambling to find a tenant right before winter not a good situation. And, if this is a friend you're considering - treat everything business like, screen carefully and if she is the best candidate make sure the lease covers everything and you go over it with the tenant.

Re: Is this considered a verbal agreement by LEE on July 28, 2014 @20:45	[ Reply ]

Thanks for your advice. I have my dad (since he's the one who made the verbal agreement) calling her to let her know the application process and screening and the fact that he's not comfortable with their son in an "illegal basement" for liability issues. He made the blunder, so I am making him correct it. And yes, I agree, no friends or relatives, I can see the headaches. Already had another friend say she wanted it but didn't want to pay a security deposit. I told her she wouldnt even be considered. Thanks again

Re: Is this considered a verbal agreement