Real Estate Professional · seattle, WA · Member since 2008 · 43 posts · 1 vote
I ran a criminal check on a workman recently hired & found out he is a convicted felon & was in prison until 2011 ( crime-identity theft). Our ad specifically said do not apply if you cannot pass a criminal background check. He is a good worker, but I am very concerned about having him work on occupied properties (so far I have only had him do exterior yard work on vacant houses)-- When I confronted him about what we found, he said that I was happy with his work so why am I concerned about lhis past & doesn't everyone deserve a chance, etc.
I actually ran into a similiar situation with a tenant. When he provided me his background information, before I ran it he explained there were some things on his record I would find and he wasn't proud of. He further explained he was trying to improve his situation. It turned out to be one of my best tenants - he pays 3-months in advance at a time.
I actually ran into a similiar situation with a tenant. When he provided me his background information, before I ran it he explained there were some things on his record I would find and he wasn't proud of. He further explained he was trying to improve his situation. It turned out to be one of my best tenants - he pays 3-months in advance at a time.
I agree with Mark Lucido except to the extent you might have him working inside an occupied unit. I am all for second chances, but with the recent timing and especially the nature of his crime, I wouldn't let him do any work inside. Outside work and inside non-occupied, I would let him work.
I wouldn't put someone convicted of identity theft into my tenants apartments. I may let him work in mine if I find to trust him, but that is my risk to take, not my tenants. Just think about if someone in one of those apartments had their identity stolen at Christmas time (Maybe from an ATM card copier or some such, nothing to do with your guy). During the investigation they uncover that and tell your tenant, who then tells every other tenant. Then every sock they lost in the dryer will be associated to your guy and you.
Some guy who got in a bar fight, some guy who was driving reckless and damaged a bunch of property, somebody who got arrested for trespassing and chaining themselves to a tree for some protest... sure fine, but in the identity theft instance I would not risk it. If you need a lawn guy or someone to refit empty units and my gut said he made a mistake, possibly.
You know what to watch for so and he knows now your watching.
I agree on no occupied units, and no to any keys. it's to bad he didn't level with you from the beginning but now your on the same page,, so what was the hang up on the background check taking so long that you had to start him right away?
I guess if he stays the course it may be worth a try for the guy. I personally have hired many guys in recovery, and have had some real dedicated workers.. I slipped up trusted the wrong guy to much he had worked for me over a year, and he ended up falling off the wagon, was taking new tools back to the store for store credit and other fun stuff to pawn shop for cash.. when confronted he admitted it and I reported it to the police. He still works for me occasionally but not as a regular person, and I count the tools and make sure the keys are not in his possession.
My nephew is a contractor hires mostly guys from Teen Challenge, he's watchful and pretty much knows what's up,, any questions and usually one guy will point the finger to the one that got out of line.
So from a person who's been there and done that. I don't let them into occupied units to work or to have keys.
I kept him on, and the last day when the job was completed, I discovered money and tools missing, and so was he. -maybe people can change, but he proved once a thief always a thief--