out of state prospects - Landlord Forum thread 331573

out of state prospects by Donald (OH) on March 1, 2015 @20:33

Have an apartment in commuting distance of military base, but have never rented to military before. Woman from out of state coming to see apartment tomorrow. Husband is in military and will be overseas for a year and she is wanting to move back to this area where she has family. Husband is not with her, but she said he will be on lease and has most of income although she also works. Not clear that he will ever be in this area. Would appreciate any recommendations on how to handle this as have never rented to people when we have not been able to meet all of them in advance.

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Re: out of state prospects by Garry (Iowa) on March 1, 2015 @21:43	[ Reply ]

The husband cannot be on the lease unless he is able to sign the lease. Therefore you need to qualify her app using her income only. You said she works----does she have a new job, because you said she is moving from another state, to where your property is. If she has family in the area, she probably needs to stay with them for several months before looking for an apartment.

Re: out of state prospects

Re: out of state prospects by Becky (IN) on March 1, 2015 @22:18	[ Reply ]

I think it should be possible to qualify them both. If they meet your criteria, fax the lease to the husband, have him sign it, and mail it back to you. Then you can hold the lease signing and turnover with the wife, with his signed copy. If you're concerned about not meeting him, consider setting up a Skype interview. If the husband is serving our country, at least see if they would meet your normal rental qualifications. If not, of course you should pass on them and move on. But with the technology available today, if they do qualify, you should be able to work out the details.

Re: out of state prospects by Wilford on March 1, 2015 @22:46	[ Reply ]

The absentee husband may be a ruse. Be careful. Especially if this applicant is wanting you to act with great speed.

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Re: out of state prospects by Anonymous on March 1, 2015 @23:14	[ Reply ]

There are many ways to check the validity of the active duty military member. First, before you take your time showing the place to anyone, ask what are both their FICO scores? Before you agree to a screening make sure you know what branch of the military, how many years of service he has, his rank (number not title) and whether he gets dependents on his BAH. From this information you can look up his military gross pay and BAH for your city (public records). Add her income and you know if they qualify income wise before you have even done a showing. If they pass all your pre-screening criteria then show the place. Get an application filled out and with a copy of his drivers license, military ID and social security card, his social security #, DOB, full name, first middle last, and everything else required. With his full name, social, DOB, you can verify his branch of service, rank and where he is stationed on public military records. This will verify that he is really in the service. When you get his CO's name address, phone number and email you can then speak to his boss to verify his tour of duty and where. You will have to get him to sign the lease and have his signature notarized by a military notary. Since they are PCS'ing him overseas are they moving her to your city?

Re: out of state prospects

Re: out of state prospects by June (ND) on March 2, 2015 @13:31	[ Reply ]

a letter from the military is the easiest form to get for these reasons, it states name, rank, military issued funds and deployment - but you have to call the contact and verify it is legitimate! and remember, you cannot garnish the income of the serving member for unpaid rent or destroyed property

Re: out of state prospects by Elizabeth (Kansas) on March 2, 2015 @22:36	[ Reply ]

As a spouse of Active duty soldier, and landlord to Active duty soldiers this is totally normal. Firstly, most spouses when they deploy have a Power of Attorney drafter, whether it be a general (which pretty much gives them to ability to do anything and everything in their name and sign for them) or a specific (which will have listed exact descriptions the spouse is allowing them to do in their name.) If the wife has POA, there should be no issue of allowing the deployed soldier on the lease. My current tenants are active duty and the husband is currently deployed. I first run credit scores, if they meet your criteria then I continue. I require copy of POA, current military orders, copy of LES (paystub), copy of military i.d. and references etc...Make sure you get copies of both front and back of military i.d. and note the ETS date, which is the date he is due to leave military, unless he has re-enlisted which I would ask for copy of that if the ETS is within the lease date terms. They are married, just because he is currently out serving our country doesn't make him non-existent. hope this kinda helps! SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!