Re: Prospective Tenant Decision? - Landlord Forum thread 323255

Re: Prospective Tenant Decision? by Bill on August 23, 2014 @15:45

When you rent to unmarrieds, at some point you are likely to hear from one of them informing you they are moving out and asking to be removed from the lease. So, you need to make it clear at the lease signing that this is not going to happen. Explain to each one that they will be on the hook for rent and repairs until the lease is signed.

you will also need a signed agreement as to what happens to the deposit at the end of the lease. Because the one that moves out will one day contact you demanding all the deposit. If at some point they can not agree about the deposit, make the check out to both of them and mail it to the one that remains in the rental.

The thing about requiring them to qualify singly is that the one who can not pay is the one you will be left with when the new wears off.

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Re: Prospective Tenant Decision? by Anonymous on August 23, 2014 @16:50	[ Reply ]

Bill, you are right on. There is a chance they are married even though they have different last names. I will find out tomorrow!

Re: Prospective Tenant Decision? by Bill on August 23, 2014 @17:55	[ Reply ]

I believe people who are really married represent a more stable tenant that those who are not. Although there are is an epidemic of people claiming to be married but have different names. I subscribe to publicdata.com for $35 per year for hundreds of lookups. It will search the civil records to tell you about marriages, divorces, criminal records and more. But so many people have the same name nationwide that you should have the name as it appears on the driver's license as well as the license number and state. Have a space on the application for the license info. Ask for the license and you ask for the license and fill in that part. All you have to do is say "do you have some ID" and they will pull it out. It is a huge red flag is a person does not have a driver's license.

Re: Prospective Tenant Decision? by Anonymous on August 23, 2014 @18:27	[ Reply ]

Right Bill. I require both a copy of their DL and a copy of their social security card. If they are military I ask for a copy of their military ID as well as their LES and BAH. Like you I believe a married couple is more stable. Some on this forum will not agree but it makes me feel better about the situation.