Does this smell funny?

Question

I have a new tenant, about to move in September 1st. I've had a few interactions with her that baffled me, ok, no, the made me think "WTF!?"

One, they had a house nearby a couple of years ago (verified this), took a bath selling it, moved to FL then moved back within a year. I never could really get the reason out of her. Two, Husband is still in FL and supposedly moving back here soon, but she and their son have been back here over a year? I ran her credit check, which was great ( but lot's of CC debt, I mean TONS), all affordable (making minimum payments) with her and her husbands wages. Then during her pre-move, walk-through she kept expressing worry that the basement and garage didn't have enough storage for their stuff... It's a 800 sq. ft. basement, and a 1 car garage and lot's of attic space. At this point I am thinking "How much STUFF could you possibly have!?!?"

Am I just being paranoid or is something just not clicking here?

Leila Jones · Answer

Listen to podcast #83 I was totally inspired by the kind caring, yet firm advice from @marcia maynard.

BP Podcast 083: Profitable Landlording with Integrity with Marcia Maynard

Kimberly H. · Answer

Thanks @Steve Babiak I will check out that thread.

Steve Babiak · Answer

@Kimberly H. - careful there, hoarders are a protected class since hoarding was declared a disability a couple of years back. Of course, you are allowed to establish a strict set of housekeeping rules that all tenants must abide by, yet you have to also consider that "reasonable accommodations" might have to be made.

That is a separate discussion that should be taken to this other thread:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1087...

That is a separate discussion that should be taken to this other thread:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1087...

Kimberly H. · Answer

Thanks @Leila Jones for the heads-up about the podcast, very helpful!

Kimberly H. · Answer

I wouldn't get rid of them yet. But explain to her that you don't allow hoarding and that there can only be boxes of stuff in the garage, basement, and attic (I don't allow people in my attics I don' trust them to not fall through the ceiling). That you do inspections of your rentals and if someone is a hoarder they will be evicted. Let her disqualify herself if she thinks you are going to have a problem with your rules.

Steve Babiak · Answer

Whenever a tenant expresses that they have "lots of stuff", I throw into the conversation a reminder that there is self-storage nearby for things that they don't need to use regularly. Better for their stuff to be elsewhere in case it doesn't work out ...

Leila Jones · Answer

Oh....and she gave her interview questions here: http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/Marcia/fil...

It's worth listening to the podcast!

Elizabeth Colegrove · Answer

I have found some tenants are just "Difficult". Once you say "no", they get a lot better. I have also learned that if you are not comfortable you should find someone else.

Paul Z. · Answer

@Dawn Anastasi my assumption is that she's been able to maintain her credit because of a combined income from her husband. It's a fishy situation because your gambling on the fact that both tenants will maintain their jobs and continue to make the same income. Does the tenant have any past history as a renter? If so did she provide references? I'd check those if so.

Does this smell funny?

Does this smell funny?

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BP Podcast 083: Profitable Landlording with Integrity with Marcia Maynard

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BP Podcast 083: Profitable Landlording with Integrity with Marcia Maynard