Tenant with an eviction

Realtor · Memphis · Member since 2021 · 48 posts · 26 votes

I have an interested applicant who has the required credit score and income requirement, but has an eviction. Should I just say straight no or give a chance?

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Kevin Sobilo

Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

10mo

@Devvrat Kumar, here are some reasons you MIGHT give someone with an eviction a chance:

1. You have a crappy rental and will charge them ABOVE market rent.

People with backgrounds typically have less options and may have to pay MORE for LESS in order to secure housing.

2. The tenant PAID the old landlord.

You might consider someone with an eviction if they showed they satisfied the judgement against them by paying the old landlord what they owe.

3. The eviction was MANY years ago.

I think some states may not allow you to consider things like evictions that are far enough in the past. So, for example if someone had an eviction 15 years ago and are in a totally different place in life now that could be a consideration.

4. There is some verifiable circumstance. For example someone fleeing domestic violence, BUT there would need to be actual documentation and possibly a reference from the old landlord about the situation.

I'm sure there are other situations that might give you reason to consider someone with an eviction, BUT keep in the mind the best predictor of FUTURE performance is PAST PERFORMANCE. So, evictions are MOST OFTEN very telling about what kind of tenant they will be for you.

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Kevin Sobilo
Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10mo
@Devvrat Kumar, here are some reasons you MIGHT give someone with an eviction a chance:
1. You have a crappy rental and will charge them ABOVE market rent.
People with backgrounds typically have less options and may have to pay MORE for LESS in order to secure housing.
2. The tenant PAID the old landlord.
You might consider someone with an eviction if they showed they satisfied the judgement against them by paying the old landlord what they owe.
3. The eviction was MANY years ago.
I think some states may not allow you to consider things like evictions that are far enough in the past. So, for example if someone had an eviction 15 years ago and are in a totally different place in life now that could be a consideration.
4. There is some verifiable circumstance. For example someone fleeing domestic violence, BUT there would need to be actual documentation and possibly a reference from the old landlord about the situation.
I'm sure there are other situations that might give you reason to consider someone with an eviction, BUT keep in the mind the best predictor of FUTURE performance is PAST PERFORMANCE. So, evictions are MOST OFTEN very telling about what kind of tenant they will be for you.
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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
10mo
How long ago was the eviction?
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John Clark
Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Devvrat Kumar:

I have an interested applicant who has the required credit score and income requirement, but has an eviction. Should I just say straight no or give a chance?
The problem with eviction is that the tenant dragged things out and forced the use of judicial process. I'm much more sympathetic to the tenant who had a change of circumstances and vacated on his own.

So assuming that the eviction was recent enough to be allowed by the government to be a legitimate factor, why did this tenant give a one-finger salute to the old landlord?
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Benjamin AakerPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Brandon, SD · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
The better question is whether you should have a policy for tenant screening. And the answer is yes. This should be explicitly laid out in your policy. Will you accept people with an eviction or not? If so, how many years back is acceptable? What is the cutoff credit score? What about foreclosures? Derogatories on the credit check? Your first step is to build this, then apply it to your current situation.
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David PeschioBusiness Member
Richmond, VA · Member since 2019 · 358 posts · 181 votes
10mo
Totally agree with @Benjamin Aaker. Accept eviction, credit score, income....etc.. should all be laid out before you even start to advertise. Stick with your criteria and you will never be in violation of any fair housing laws.
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