Bellevue, WA · Member since 2008 · 40 posts · 0 votes
Hello. I am sure this has been asked before and I apologize if it's a redundant question.
I own a duplex and have an upcoming vacancy. I found a person who wants to rent the house. He completed a credit application and came back as "D". Credit between 500-549. The tenant screen system I use says C+ or higher is recommended.
This guy is in the military and has a history of moving all over the place. Should I give him the benefit of doubt or seek another tenant? In person he is quite personable and looks like a good tenant, for what that's worth.
It's a question that you can only answer. Everyone has different screen qualifier. What does your screen qualifier say? Do you even have one? If he doesn't meet your qualifier, then NO. In my state it's require, I have to give one when I give an application. You need to write down what you require from your tenant, income 3x the rent, no eviction, only 2 late payment, etc...
This guy would not qualify under my screen qualifier, but will qualify under someone else.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The applicant is telling me that he has a rotten credit score due to identity theft. I use a credit screening agency. They have this guy living in about 15 different places over the last 10 years. I would like to find someone who will live in the house longterm. These days I am having a difficult time finding a tenant but the house is still occupied for the time-being, until current guy moves out start of May.
I would recommend that you ask for the name of his supervisor and commander. Call and speak with his supervisor to verify his story. If the supervisor will validate his story, he will also be an asset if the member falls behind.
We do move a lot in the military but 15 times in 10 years is a bit out of the ordinary.
If the individual is unwilling to provide the supervisors name and number, I would move on.
Thanks. He did give me the name of that supervisor. He makes a good wage. He has a girlfriend in the local area and she has a good job too. For what it's worth.
I am renting to a military tenant. Called a working supervisor on base and checked out if his term will be as stated. Credit wasn't that important to me because he's a current home owner. Good tenants are hard to find in our area right now. I'd go with the "bird in hand is worth two in the bush".
Base on his rental history, I would find someone else. Most likely you will have to find a new tenant less than a year, unless you don't mind. I would examine the credit report to confirm if the identity theft story is true. Tenants can make up a lot of stories.