Applicants with undisclosed significant other

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Applicants with undisclosed significant other

Rick BassettBusiness Member
Property Manager · Greater New Haven, CT · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 434 votes

Maybe it's the way that the housing authority in our area works or our local culture but it seems that the vast majority of the applicants that we get who are on public assistance almost always fail to disclose that their spouse or significant other will be living with them and we generally find out that they aren't being truthful during the screening process.

Our application process is straight forward; all adults (18 or over) who will be living at the property must fill out an application and be on the lease. This helps us to hold everyone responsible later on if something goes wrong and it allows us to expedite the eviction process if need be.

This happens so much that it adds a lot of time and due diligence to our screening process.

Is this something that many other landlords are encountering as well? If so, I'd be interested if hearing creative suggestions for dealing with it.

Rick

475-900-3100
Bassett Property Management5108 Reviews
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Marrio Barnes
Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 37 posts · 54 votes
10y

Here is a tip.  Add one more page to your inital application. On the that page request that the applicant gives you three or four people to contact in case of emergency and make sure they fill out ALL three contact information slots. 

Most times the applicant will give the name of the significant other that will be living them.  With that information you can do quick public information searches to see what type of unauthorized roommate they might have. It's not 100% but it helps.

Good luck.

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  • Darren SagerPro Member
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    I'm including this in my leases:

    • The statements and representations made by Tenant in applying for the apartment have caused the Landlord to enter into this agreement, and if any of these statements and representations should be false it shall be considered a substantial breach of the landlords rules and regulations and of the terms and conditions of this Lease Agreement, and Landlord may terminate this Lease Agreement and recover all costs and expenses incurred as well as possession of the demised Premises

    Make sure they understand that and it's one of the first things in your lease.  It's not going to eliminate the problem but it should give them second thought, especially when you read it to them and make them understand what it is you're saying here.

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  • Marrio Barnes
    Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 37 posts · 54 votes
    10y

    Here is a tip.  Add one more page to your inital application. On the that page request that the applicant gives you three or four people to contact in case of emergency and make sure they fill out ALL three contact information slots. 

    Most times the applicant will give the name of the significant other that will be living them.  With that information you can do quick public information searches to see what type of unauthorized roommate they might have. It's not 100% but it helps.

    Good luck.

    1Reply
  • Bill Gulley
    Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    10y

    So, Mary Lou breaks up with her boyfriend, 2 weeks later she applies for your rental and you rent to her.

    Next day, she asks the old boyfriend to help her move. They make up and get back together. So what?

    When you see a new adult enter the picture, they need to tell you who they are, the status.

    You also can't make requirements of who is in their, or out of their, family unit. It can change. 

    Have no idea where landlords get this mentality of ruling over a tenant's life which is what many end up doing with "what if" possibilities, some things just happen in life, role with the punches. Not saying the OP is, just that landlords really need to think, do I really need to go there?

    Now, who is there is a legit aspect, they might be hiding the significant other, but they can't hide very long so you'll still know and you can't disqualify an applicant for who they are with from time to time.  :)

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  • Rick BassettBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Greater New Haven, CT · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 434 votes
    10y

    @Bill, it's better to ferret out problem tenants before they get into the property. Sure we can invoke lease clauses and evict them but that is generally an expensive lose-lose situation. 

    I really don't care who my tenants are in a relationship with as long as I get a say (get to screen) who moves into my property.

    Rick

    475-900-3100
    Bassett Property Management5108 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Michele FischerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    You might want to rethink requiring all occupants to be on the rental agreement/lease.

    I give the applicant a choice of whether to have them on the agreement or as an authorized occupant.  I am neutral on the topic.  Agree that an advantage of of having all adults on the agreement is beneficial to have more parties to chase for rent and damages.  But it also means there are more parties to serve notices to and deal with, so we have found authorized occupants to be pretty nice.  We have some tenants who change their roommates quite often.  If they are an authorized occupant, we have a shortened application form and fee, run a criminal check, meet the person and photograph their license, and have the tenant sign a one page addendum.    

    We still insist on knowing who is living in the unit, we have clear rules on how long people can stay before they are considered living there.  We also insist on being able to run a criminal check, at their cost, on anyone living there.  And, yes, they do still fail to disclose to us.  Knowing who is living in your properties is one of the most difficult things to know for sure.

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  • Rick BassettBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Greater New Haven, CT · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 434 votes
    10y

    We're renting a SFH and this is what we have experienced over the past 30 days:

    Several of the best voucher applicants (those with complete applications) are all claiming that they will live there with just their children and no other adult BUT each of them came to look at the house with their husbands, a red flag.  

    A quick check of public information and social media, which we do on all applicants under consideration, shows they are married and even shows that a few of the husbands are serious felons.

    Our concern of course is that we let the Mom and kids in and that the non-screened husband moves in, creating a risk to our property and neighbors.

    Thoughts?

    Rick

    475-900-3100
    Bassett Property Management5108 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Tom Ott
    Equity Raiser and Turnkey Provider · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Rick Bassett:

    Maybe it's the way that the housing authority in our area works or our local culture but it seems that the vast majority of the applicants that we get who are on public assistance almost always fail to disclose that their spouse or significant other will be living with them and we generally find out that they aren't being truthful during the screening process.

    Our application process is straight forward; all adults (18 or over) who will be living at the property must fill out an application and be on the lease. This helps us to hold everyone responsible later on if something goes wrong and it allows us to expedite the eviction process if need be.

    This happens so much that it adds a lot of time and due diligence to our screening process.

    Is this something that many other landlords are encountering as well? If so, I'd be interested if hearing creative suggestions for dealing with it.

    Rick

     Hello Rick

    This is a great question. It is a very difficult thing to make sure the applicants are being truthful on their application. I always make sure that when they are filling it out, I explain them that that every adult MUST be on the lease. If they feel nervous, I try to make them feel comfortable saying that it is just our policy and they have nothing to worry about.

    You want to make sure everyone is covered (you and the tenant)

    Explain to them it is against your policy to lie about any other adults in the home.

    This is something I do see often, but from all walks of life. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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