Showed a rental to a snake in the grass applicant. On purpose!

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Showed a rental to a snake in the grass applicant. On purpose!

Steve Vaughan
Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes

Normally if I figure out a potential applicant just got evicted, I avoid showing them a place  I have for rent.  They won't pass the screening so why bother, right?  This time I wanted to see if I could pick up on something that would otherwise let me know: DANGER, DANGER! Do not rent to this applicant!   

We all know how important tenant selection is. This applicant was just evicted on 8/17/15.  Full enchilada with a sheriff's escort off of the property!

What if I didn't already know that?  Would I be able to draw upon my experience to identify red flags?  In the old days without being able to easily look online to check civil and criminal backgrounds, would I have survived as a landlord?

 Here are some key takeaways I got from this 'experiment':   

1)  No eye contact or handshake at initial approach.

2) Brought a parent or additional authority figure. This one was a grandma and she was good!  Had me distracted the whole showing discussing landscaping tips and how nice it would be to enjoy coffee outside in the morning.

 3) Applicant didn't bother to even glance at my written 'General Rental Qualifications' list I have right next to (or on top of) the application.

4) Application was finished in 42 seconds.  No checking the phone for contact info, or any     clarification questions asked.

5)  Application 'turned in' with no app fee ($25).  Clearly states can't be processed without.

6)  Missing information all over the place.  Rental history? Nah. Personal references? Who needs 'em.  Bankruptcy? Eviction? Foreclosure?  All blank.  (We ask for Y/N)  Note:  My updated apps ask for Year Of... Eviction?, Foreclosure?, Bankruptcy?   Harder to leave that blank.

These were just some things I noticed throughout the showing and application submission. Overall this person wasn't especially dirty or stinky or missing teeth.  Sometimes a snake in the grass is hard to see!   

Do you have any additional tips to warn current or future landlords about what to watch out for?   Looking forward to seeing some helpful responses!  Thanks!

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Jim C.
Investor · IN · Member since 2012 · 263 posts · 168 votes
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I like to ask potential applicants during open houses what they think of their current landlord and look at the reaction on body as well as what they say. It's funny what some evicted tenants will say about how their landlord "never fixed anything", or "made me pay late fees because I couldn't pay the rent because I had to pay my cell phone bill / car payment, blah blah blah"). 

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  • Jim C.
    Investor · IN · Member since 2012 · 263 posts · 168 votes
    11y

    I like to ask potential applicants during open houses what they think of their current landlord and look at the reaction on body as well as what they say. It's funny what some evicted tenants will say about how their landlord "never fixed anything", or "made me pay late fees because I couldn't pay the rent because I had to pay my cell phone bill / car payment, blah blah blah"). 

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  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    So true @Jim C..  Always a story, excuse and drama.  Great question- to ask about their current LL.  Thanks!

    1Reply
  • Ryan Dossey
    Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11y

    My favorites are the ones who tell me that their current landlord is a slumlord. When their car is packed to the gills with junk, they are late, and can't pay a security deposit. That's like showing up to a job interview in your sweaty gym clothes. 

    1Reply
  • Fay Chen
    Investor · Bothell, WA · Member since 2015 · 214 posts · 104 votes
    11y

    Thank you for the social experiment, Steve. You are a brave man! I've heard stories about ppl intentionally trip and fall at house showings to get money. So be careful next time when you want to do another experiment.

    1Reply
  • Ingrid J.
    Investor · Tromsø, Norway (Europe) · Member since 2015 · 431 posts · 194 votes
    11y

    Wow! Thanks for sharing! Good riddance.

    1Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    @Ryan Dossey I know what you mean!  I'll usually have 'one more question' on their way out and take a peek in their car.  Great additional tip to see what your place may look like once they get in there!  

    If they're local, I tend to drive by their current place and see how it looks as well.  

    Asking to put initial rent or security deposit on installments? Definitely another red flag.  Thanks!

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  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    Thanks for the warning @Fay Chen!  I didn't even consider a fake slip and fall or other false accusation possibility.  Good point!

    I would never recommend a lady (especially, but a guy too) go meet a felon at their property alone just for fun.  Nor to meet someone litigious or with a history of DVs or aggression, of course.  

    I knew it was just a young person and her grandma, but should have added a disclosure of some sort.  Thank you!    

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  • Ryan Dossey
    Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11y

    @Steve Vaughan

    While I typically agree there is an exception to every rule. 

    We own a rental in a C class area. We had a tenant come through. Veteran retired. SSI. Wanting to be somewhere for several years. But could not come up with First/Last or security deposit. I screened him (he paid the fee). His credit score was over 800. Nothing negative ever. No evictions or record. We rented to him. He has been THE BEST tenant. I got a letter a few months ago from him with his rent that said anytime I get a check from him I can cash it. Even if its early. He has paid a solid week-two weeks in advance since then. Not only that but he wants to buy the house from me. I paid 23k. He's offering 36k. This is also my worst rental. It's small/old. (Think single pane windows)

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  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    11y

    @Ryan Dossey that's great!  I have definitely worked with the move-in funds for folks before.  Case by case basis.  New to the area with a new job?  Makes sense and would be considered.

    I only work with the rent, though, not the deposit.  There's no such thing as a 3-day notice to pay security deposit lol!

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