What would you do with this prospective tenant?

Question

I posted an apartment on Craigslist last week and had a handful of responses.  One of the responders exhibited several things that when combined result in them not getting any response from me.  If you had this kind of response would you even respond?  Is there any risk of this being considered discriminatory if I just ignore these emails but respond to other emails?

-No name on CL account (not the end of the world, but when combined with other issues it's a red flag to me)

-Email riddled with spelling and grammar errors

-Looking to sign a lease this week

-Emailed me 3 times on 12/1 and another time on 12/2

To me, this screams desperation and almost certainly future headaches.  Does anybody else see it this way?

Account Closed · Answer

Anyone who is looking to rent a place over the Holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas are usually those getting evicted.  Not always, but 97% of the time they are.

I never discouraged anyone.  Let them apply. Establish a legal rental Criteria for your rentals and have it displayed where everyone can see it.

Let them fill out an application and submit the application to you along with an Application fee of $25 or however much you charge to process the credit check..  If they don't have money to pay for an application fee....oh well, guess they don't get the house.  Too bad so sad!  And if they do have the money,  do they meet the criteria you have?   If not, you're off the hook, and if they say they do meet the criteria, a credit check will never lie.  I bet you anything that they will not qualify in a million years.  Problem solved.

Do everything professionally and you don't have to worry about "Testers" and "Lawsuits"  Get that Criteria typed up, make sure it's legal, and make sure it's visible for all applicants to see.  On a table, taped to the wall, to the Kitchen cupboard, wherever you can display it.

Nancy Neville.

Account Closed · Answer

I always place my name and number, google voice # forwarded to cell, in my ads. I don't carry on extended conversations via email. I politely answer their basic questions but ask them to call me for any other questions. If they email me back with questions I usually blow them off.

Steve Babiak · Answer

I follow up on all CL inquiries asking them to call me if it's still available, or replying that it's taken if no longer available.

At this time of year, almost all lookers are suspect - because most people aren't looking at this time of year.  My most recent placement at this time of year was somebody moving because their place had been broken into.  A few other reasons that people look at this time of year (and that I would consider as acceptable): need bigger place (expecting a child or having another relative move in with them); want smaller place (kids moved out); relocating for change of job; house they are in has been damaged (fire, storm, mold, structural defect, etc).

I'd also consider anybody whose lease has expired where that lease was not month-to-month.

Most other people moving now and in a hurry are desperate to get out before the eviction is completed ...

Account Closed · Answer

Michael,
	
	You never know how many good tenants you miss out on by not providing a phone number. If I see an ad with no phone number, I consider it spam. My 2cents,

Joe Gore

Michael Seeker · Answer

I put my first name in the post, never my last name or phone number.  And the two items you pointed out were really the least of my concern, they just added to the equation and help to paint an overall picture of the type of person this is.  If those were the only two things that stood out I probably would have contacted this person.

Bryce Y. · Answer

I'd do the same.  I have also found that applicants who "pre-qualify" themselves tend to be desperate.

Account Closed · Answer

Spelling does not mean they cannot  pay the rent. Most people want  put their name in a post only when they answer emails. Did you put your name and phone number in your ad.

What would you do with this prospective tenant?

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