Finding a good renter

[BreakfastBurrito]

So I bought this townhouse in Phoenix with my little bro with the intention of renting it. He lives out there so is in charge of finding a renter, which he's been unsuccessful at so far. Although today I think we've finally found the perfect renters! Below is the e-mail my brother received today.


My name is Dan H,

Please let me explain the specifics of our predicament, this house is for my wife whom I am currently separated from and my two girls ages 22, 15. Our credit is bad due to my irresponsibility's, not my wife's. I have an eviction notice on my record because of irresponsibility's on my part, unfortunately this eviction notice is on her credit also. Needless to say she does not have a positive payment record with our former landlord due to me.

She then moved in with her brother who proceeded due to a drug problem with a friend was kicked out of their house. She had made the payments to him per their agreement but he decided to spend the money on drugs instead of paying the bills.

Angela and the girls are staying at the Extended Stay Motel across from MetroCenter, all of us are trying to get them out of there but everyone wants the first, last and install rent plus deposits which we cannot generate the funding for.

I have committed to them $650.00 a month child support and will not let that fall behind because I don't believe in making kids suffer and I will not do that to mine. It isn't court ordered but no matter what my child will not suffer if her mother and I cant get along. I am not made of that... with all that has happened and the situation everyone is in we (all of us) have committed to never allowing this to happen again.

Anyway all they (we) are looking for is a break or help, we used to live in North valley and my daughter was enrolled in Barry Goldwater High School. If we can pay the deposits by the end of the next month I sure would appreciate it.

She also has a dog which we have had for 8 years so he is up in age, he
weighs about 35 lbs and is a huge baby....

Anyway that is the story behind our situation, like I said all we are looking for is a break, my daughter is starting school soon and needless to say her life has be uprooted. If you could help we would surely appreciate it. We are also willing to pay extra for working with us on the deposits

My wife and daughter currently work for Savers in the production area and I work for the County Attorney. With child support and their wages their monthly income is approximately $2500.00 a month with additional support from me if needed, as I really need to get them out of the situation they
are in.

Thank you

[touchfaith]

Possible domestic violence, probable drug use and an absolutely big huge dog.

These people sound perfect to me.

Give them a move-in discount.

[jakethebake]

Make him put the daughters up as collateral.

[Los Feliz Slim]

Is this supposed to be funny? Because it's not. It's sad.

[handsome]

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Is this supposed to be funny? Because it's not. It's sad.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it was funny [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[sfer]

I can't be the only person who thinks that posting this letter in a public forum, if it's real, is quite rude and inconsiderate.

[Macdaddy Warsaw]

[ QUOTE ]
Possible domestic violence, probable drug use and an absolutely big huge dog.

These people sound perfect to me.

Give them a move-in discount.

[/ QUOTE ]

A 35 pound dog is "absolutely big huge"? What?

[Smackdab]

I own/manage 300+ units. I have a scoring criteria from which I NEVER deviate. Of course being a large property management company I have Fair Housing guidelines to adhere to as well.

I use 3 main criteria and then break down scoring by importance.

1. Employment - 40% of total score in this area.
a. length of employment
b. salary - if the applicants rent:eranings ratio is less than 30% they are automatically disqualified
c. length of previous employment.

2. Credit - 40% of score
a. Points awarded based on average credit score. Obvciously the closer to 1 the higher the score.
b. Bankruptcies or lack thereof worth small amount of points. Having a bankruptcy does not count against score.
ANY ACCOUNTS PLACED FOR COLLECTION IS AUTOMATICALLY A DISQUALIFICATION

3. Past Rental history
Basically a series of questions regarding applicant's tenancy to be answered by previous landlord. Late payments, lease violations, condition of apartment.
IF THERE HAS BEEN AN EVICTION AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION

Seems to me these folks meet criteria for at least 2 automatic disqualifications using my screening process. This is a no brainer. NO.....NO........NO

A bit of advice. While you may have been on the market awhile do not rush to put just anyone in there. If they do not meet your criteria for what you are looking for in a tenant then no matter what "extenuating" circumstances they think they have they are not qualified and will be more trouble in the long run. I'm not sure of eviction laws in AZ but I know this: If you let them in w/o being qualified you may end up with a deposit and teh first months rent. At end of second month they haven't paid, don't have the ability to pay and you are now forced to seek possession of the unit through legal means. This of course will involve retaining counsel, court time and allowing them to continue living there rent free basically until the eviction is successful. Granted, you may get a judgement for rents owed but you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip. Pass on this and wait for a qualified tenant.

Another piece of advice. I have in my lease a close which basically states that in teh event of forfeiture on the part of the tenant they are responsible for all legal fees and court costs.

[touchfaith]

[ QUOTE ]
I own/manage 300+ units. I have a scoring criteria from which I NEVER deviate. Of course being a large property management company I have Fair Housing guidelines to adhere to as well.

I use 3 main criteria and then break down scoring by importance.

1. Employment - 40% of total score in this area.
a. length of employment
b. salary - if the applicants rent:eranings ratio is less than 30% they are automatically disqualified
c. length of previous employment.

2. Credit - 40% of score
a. Points awarded based on average credit score. Obvciously the closer to 1 the higher the score.
b. Bankruptcies or lack thereof worth small amount of points. Having a bankruptcy does not count against score.
ANY ACCOUNTS PLACED FOR COLLECTION IS AUTOMATICALLY A DISQUALIFICATION

3. Past Rental history
Basically a series of questions regarding applicant's tenancy to be answered by previous landlord. Late payments, lease violations, condition of apartment.
IF THERE HAS BEEN AN EVICTION AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION

Seems to me these folks meet criteria for at least 2 automatic disqualifications using my screening process. This is a no brainer. NO.....NO........NO

A bit of advice. While you may have been on the market awhile do not rush to put just anyone in there. If they do not meet your criteria for what you are looking for in a tenant then no matter what "extenuating" circumstances they think they have they are not qualified and will be more trouble in the long run. I'm not sure of eviction laws in AZ but I know this: If you let them in w/o being qualified you may end up with a deposit and teh first months rent. At end of second month they haven't paid, don't have the ability to pay and you are now forced to seek possession of the unit through legal means. This of course will involve retaining counsel, court time and allowing them to continue living there rent free basically until the eviction is successful. Granted, you may get a judgement for rents owed but you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip. Pass on this and wait for a qualified tenant.

Another piece of advice. I have in my lease a close which basically states that in teh event of forfeiture on the part of the tenant they are responsible for all legal fees and court costs.

[/ QUOTE ]



These are the lamest set of requirements I have ever seen. Can't you just take your lame requirements and plug them into a computer?

Afterall, you are making mindless decisions already right?

Let's say I have a 1.5 year long dispute going on with DirecTV. They, by matter of procedure, have placed the account 'in collections' while being disputed. In your world, I am disqualified from renting?

Lame.

[Smackdab]

[ QUOTE ]
These are the lamest set of requirements I have ever seen. Can't you just take your lame requirements and plug them into a computer?

Afterall, you are making mindless decisions already right?

Let's say I have a 1.5 year long dispute going on with DirecTV. They, by matter of procedure, have placed the account 'in collections' while being disputed. In your world, I am disqualified from renting?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is just a general overview of the requirements. There is alot more detail involved.

Mindless?
Much thought went into what type of requiremnts would need to be met by a prospective tenant that I would want renting from me. After I arrived at what I wanted then yes it should be pretty mindless. According to Fair Housing law I can have whatever requirements I desire so long as I enforce them uniformly.

Yes. If you have an ongoing dispute with DirecTV for the past year and a half and have been placed for collection you won't be renting from me. Sorry to hear that in all likelihood you didn't honor the terms of your contract, probably because of "extenuating" circumstances.

I would also add that I have looked at my records for the past 3 years and could only find 4 cases in that time period where I have had to seek forcible detainer on a tenant.

HMMMMMM......... seems like I am getting the desired type of renter and my criteria are working out pretty well for me. If however you think you have some good ideas along these lines, have experience in this field and would like to pony up the necessary funds to become a full partner I would be willing to listen your thoughts on what a good screening procedure would be.

On second thought....... you owe DirecTV so you probably don't have the funds. You sound like someone with alot of issues and I have simplified my life and since my criteria are working so well business is good and I need no additional capital so not looking for a partner.

In short.....if you don't know what you are talking about ....STFU!