Received Rental Application without Viewing... suspicious?

Question

Should I be suspicious about receiving a request for rental application from someone who I have not yet spoken to much less even shown the property to? My gut tells me this is highly unusual especially considering the rent is over $4k/month.

No questions, no calls, or request for viewing... all with a move in date in the 1st week of June. I know there have been all sorts of scams popping up in the rental market. Has anyone else experienced this situation?

Michael Deering · Answer

I've received 142 applications this year as my first touch point with prospective candidates.  I only show to people who have submitted applications.  It saves time and shows that the candidate follows instructions and has skin in the game.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

It seems unusual. Just ignore it until they contact you.

Bill B. · Answer

I’ve purchased $400k homes without seeing them, is that more less unusual?

That being said I would want to meet them in person at the property with their ID after they have paid the application/background check and they have passed it. You’ll have their state I’d number social security number and references. Is their current address in state? If not are they transferring work locations or starting a new job? Is that new job guaranteed?

I’m also not saying you can’t give more weight to a tenant that has come and seen the property but I wouldn’t say no if they passed background and had a good story. It just doesn’t sound like you have a ton of applicants. And in this market you should have 10-20 applicants within a week at the right price with good advertising.

Adam Martin · Answer

My last property I rented out I had several people request to apply before seeing the property and it was not unusual  for them to hit the request to apply button on Zillow.  If this is through Zillow it could be that they have already paid for an application somewhere else and it is good for 30 days so why not.  I call and explain that I don't send out an application until they see the place and know if they want it.  If not local I do a video walkthrough but the last thing I want is someone walking in and saying it isn't what they expected and wanting their deposit back.  It is getting more and more common for tenants to have to pay for an application before showing but I don't think that is right and I wouldn't want to pay to see a unit to decide if I don't like it.  I also screen for best applicant, if I submitted an application and got to see the place I would assume I was getting it which isn't always the case.  $4k being high for rent is relative and dependent on location.  I have never seen a house rent for 4k or even 3k for that matter but in other areas that may be the cheapest around.

Quincy Lockett · Answer

@Claudia Del Leola

It is sometimes desperation on the tenant’s part which Is usually a red flag. I have a standard where I don’t accept applications before a potential tenant walks through the unit and I get to interact with them. And even then, I instruct them that I will contact you IF we will have you apply because I don’t want people wasting their money (application fee) unless they have a great shot at acceptance.

John Teachout · Answer

We get requests for applications all the time from people that haven't viewed the property yet. Our process is they receive a tenant profile laying out our criteria, they view the property, they submit an application. If someone wants to submit an application before viewing, that's fine but we don't process it prior to them viewing it. If the person is out of state and can't view the property, we won't process their application. sorry.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Ignore this one, if they are this ignorant of the way the system works then you don't want them as a tenant.

My .02

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

It is a little unusual and invites extra screening. We have had that happen, people move across the country all the time. Do some extra screening and see where that takes you.

Matthew Lawrence · Answer

I am an agent from the Chicagoland area and this practice is not uncommon. The market is so hard for tenants to find anything without competing with 10 other applications that they are shotgunning their applications like an investor would when they are looking to purchase property. Contact them, they usually are real tenants wanting a home to live in.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Claudia Del Leola  respond with your process which seems like showing then application then let it go.   Landlords here assume everyone knows the process and every landlords process is the same.  Renters have less experience in renting then landlords so I would not be suspicious. Especially if  it comes from a one of these websites where you can do a request automatically.

Received Rental Application without Viewing... suspicious?

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