Peterson: Demands of prospective tenant scares landlord
Dear Anne: I’ve been a landlord for over 20 years. I just had a prospective tenant who looked at one of my rental apartments. She said she had her own appliances from selling her house after a divorce, including a washer and dryer that she wanted to put in the basement. She wanted me to remove my appliances so she could put hers in place, and she wanted a break in the rent. I don’t have a washer or dryer hook-up in the basement, and she wanted me to install them at my own expense. She said I’d attract other good tenants after her, and that would more than pay for my cost. I decided not to rent her. I just had the feeling everything would be a negotiation, even if it were clearly spelled out in the lease, if you know what I mean. What do you think?
— K.F.
Answer: I think when you’ve been around for 20 years; you probably have a pretty good idea when you should trust your initial reaction.
Dear Anne: I haven’t been reading this column very long — just moved here from the Southern Tier. Do you ever discuss anything about screening tenants?
— New Guy
Answer: I’ve often discussed the importance of screening. I consider screening to be the single most effective tool a landlord has. A good rental application will allow the landlord to get crucial information about a prospective tenant: job history and income verification, previous landlord contact information and more. You should also have the applicant complete a form giving you permission to get a credit report. Ordering a credit report without written permission is a violation of law.
A tip for less experienced landlords: Check out the phone numbers of those listed as previous landlords. Some tenants will attempt to hide a negative history by using the phone numbers of their friends. Get complete information on previous landlords, including full name and address, as well as phone numbers. If you have any doubts, don’t rent to that applicant.
Dear Anne: I sometimes give prospective tenants an application form, particularly when they’re from out of town or they just graduated from school (high school or college). Sometimes I give them one because they seem a little strange. Do you advise landlords to use application forms when they’re less than comfortable with the person who’s looking at the unit?
— B.T.
Answer: What does “strange” mean? I advise landlords to use a rental application at all times. For starters, to avoid violating fair housing laws, if you give one prospective tenant a rental application, you should give every prospective tenant a rental application. The rental application is your opportunity to get a rental history by asking for contact information for previous landlords. You also get personal facts, like annual income, place and length of employment, emergency contact information, make, model, license number and color of vehicle. Do yourself a favor. Invest in a good, clear rental application and use it for every prospective tenant without exception.
Dear Anne: Just wanted to let you know that I took your advice a few years ago when you talked about always having a lease, even for month-to-month tenants. I saw somebody else recently asked a similar question. I want to say that this really works. No questions later on. If I have a disagreement with a tenant, we get out the lease and see what it says. I also made a list of written policies that I have the tenant sign for. We each keep a copy. No loud noise after 10 p.m. No pets. No uncovered trash cans inside or outside — things like that. My life got simpler instantly!!
—Richard
Answer: Glad things worked out so well.