I've had two potential freaks apply for my rentals in just the past week. One was a guy that wanted to rent a place "immediately" (always a red flag) because he discovered "black mold" in a house he was buying and is planning to sue the previous owner. I don't know about everyone else, but if I discovered mold in my house (or one of my rentals), I WOULD (DO) CLEAN IT UP! The other potential freak was a woman who looked at one of my one-bedroom houses. After walking through the house, she said that it wasn't acceptable to her because she needed more natural light. This house has at least two 36 X 72 inch windows in EVERY ROOM! She wanted to know if I had anything with more light. My reply: "like a fishbowl"? Are you kidding me? Needless to say, I wouldn't rent to either of these people. The last thing I need is some wacko living in my rentals that see "black mold" everywhere or needs more light. I also won't rent to people with words tattooed on their fingers (one guy had K I L L tattooed on his fingers) or people with tattooes on their face. What kind of freaks show up at YOUR rentals? Mike

Wow, I'm glad to see someone with my temperment doing well in this business.

Yrs back I rented to a single woman, mid-fifties. She seemed nice - came with her daughter - they loved the apt - ground floor unit - perfect for mom suffering from emphyzema. Took only a few months to learn that she was a drunk and a former go-go dancer. She decided one day to hang out in the courtyard in a drunk stupor and let the teenagers admire her fake boobs!!! I never heard the end of that one. I even had the police haul her off. She was so well known to everyone except ME that the cops drove her around for about an hour and then dropped her off a block from the apt. Even the cops knew her well. Go figure. Once I did actually lock her out the woman came back in a drunk stupor again and busted all my windows. I had to board up the place for a while until she thankfully disappeared for good.

Hmm, if you guys saw me you'd probably think I was a freak - I have tatoos / piercings, etc. Although I don't normally go out with them all visible to meet my new landlord / employer, etc :) The gang comments are pretty scary. Not far from here a young couple was murdered by some new chinese gang - we don't have much gang activity round here compared to the USA, but now it does seem they're everywhere :(

How to spot a freak...

Tom C

Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 86 votes

18y

"Fishbowl" I love it.

Recently I had a nice woman show up. She looked around, love the place. She was leaving a 15 yr relationship and needed a place. After a few questions about her monthly income, she told me that she does home day care, 2 shifts, 8 kids per shift. I told her, I could not rent to her and most likely she would have a very hard time finding any place to rent.

I also had a nice old man come through with his wife. They understood that the rent was $550 a month + utilities. They wanted to fill out an application. After they filled it out, I noticed their monthly income was $630 a month from SSI. I asked how he thought he was going to be able to pay the rent on top of everything else and he said not to worry, he would find the money.

Had a nice couple contact me and had to see the house right away. They showed up in a new SUV, as I talked to them outside, I found out that he worked at a factory making $17 per hr and she worked right up the road at the hospital as a nurse making $21 dollars an hr. As they both walk in the house, she curled up her nose and folded her arms. I could tell this was not the place for them. They both had a major attitude from the start. Maybe the fact that I was in my work clothes and all sweaty. Not sure what they were expecting for $550 a month, but it is actually a very nice home.

Had another couple come in extremely friendly. As soon as I saw the women, I knew we were going to have a problem. She was around 400lbs. The house has a small full bath up stairs and a shower and toilet in the basement. As soon as she saw the upstairs bath, I could tell it was a no go. I don't believe she could have sat on the toilet without her butt scraping the vanity. I didn't think of that when I put the vanity in.. I'll have to remember that during the next rehab.

Not really any freaks, just some space cadets. I usually get the freaks during rehab, stopping by wanting to tell me their life story.

How to spot a freak...

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