Approving a Tenant Online without Meeting in Person

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Approving a Tenant Online without Meeting in Person

Dante Pirouz
Investor · Almont, MI · Member since 2015 · 360 posts · 302 votes

Hi All: I have a prospective tenant who is moving to Port Huron from out of state to start a new job. They (married couple with kids)  submitted their application online which is our normal process, paid the application fee and all the reports (credit, criminal, eviction) look stellar, plus good income with a job at our big hospital in town. Should I approve their application even though I haven't met them yet face to face? Just to add, I currently have another couple who are good tenants that I approved a year ago although I had only met the wife and daughter since the husband was still on his military base in another state and that worked out with no problems (I figured I could always complain to his CO if there were problems but you never know). Just wondering if I'm missing anything... Thanks

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Account Closed
Retired Landlord/Author · Commerce Township, MI · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y

The answer to that questions is .....ARE THEY COLLECTIBLE?  

  • When we are landlords we want to have good tenants.
  • We want to have long term tenants as well.
  • We want to have a tenant who will live in our home as we would want them to.
  • And we want a tenant who takes care of the yard and is nice and gets along with the neighbors.  

Aaah what a dream.  And sometimes it does come true.

I prefer to meet my applicants, because one can tell a lot about someone in just a blink of an eye.  As a matter of fact there is a book out called "Blink" and it is based on first impressions we have upon meeting someone, which more times than not, turn out to be a correct opinion.  

But being a landlord means we can't judge people by a "blink of an eye".  We need to be fair and balanced, and if the applicants qualify we must rent to them.  So my main QUESTION that I say to myself  when I rent to anyone is..... ARE THEY COLLECTIBLE?  Are they someone you can sue in case they don't pay the rent or they do damages and collect on?

You run a credit check, criminal check, and all the above as you stated, but it all boils down to  ARE THEY COLLECTIBLE. 

So I would say they sound good. If thye both have good jobs.  Don't have more expenses then income.  I'd go for it, as long as they are what?  COLLECTIBLE !  And if you have any doubts always get a Co-Signer who is also...COLLECTIBLE!  The more you have on the Lease, the better your chances are in COLLECTING.

Nancy Neville

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  • Account Closed
    Retired Landlord/Author · Commerce Township, MI · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    The answer to that questions is .....ARE THEY COLLECTIBLE?  

    • When we are landlords we want to have good tenants.
    • We want to have long term tenants as well.
    • We want to have a tenant who will live in our home as we would want them to.
    • And we want a tenant who takes care of the yard and is nice and gets along with the neighbors.  

    Aaah what a dream.  And sometimes it does come true.

    I prefer to meet my applicants, because one can tell a lot about someone in just a blink of an eye.  As a matter of fact there is a book out called "Blink" and it is based on first impressions we have upon meeting someone, which more times than not, turn out to be a correct opinion.  

    But being a landlord means we can't judge people by a "blink of an eye".  We need to be fair and balanced, and if the applicants qualify we must rent to them.  So my main QUESTION that I say to myself  when I rent to anyone is..... ARE THEY COLLECTIBLE?  Are they someone you can sue in case they don't pay the rent or they do damages and collect on?

    You run a credit check, criminal check, and all the above as you stated, but it all boils down to  ARE THEY COLLECTIBLE. 

    So I would say they sound good. If thye both have good jobs.  Don't have more expenses then income.  I'd go for it, as long as they are what?  COLLECTIBLE !  And if you have any doubts always get a Co-Signer who is also...COLLECTIBLE!  The more you have on the Lease, the better your chances are in COLLECTING.

    Nancy Neville

    2Reply
  • Bryan C.
    Investor · Spokane, WA · Member since 2014 · 733 posts · 155 votes
    10y

    Have you checked their references?  That would be another big one if they sound great on paper.  

    1Reply
  • Robert SpencerPro Member
    Investor · Port Huron, MI · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 14 votes
    10y

    I'd definitely feel more comfortable meeting them, but since it isn't possible, maybe you can arrange to use Skype or FaceTime.

    1Reply
  • Max T.
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    I just did the same thing with a single young woman moving across the country for a nursing job at CHOP. She's been with me a month now and is great. I met her parents and showed them the apartment. The young woman completed everything in my screening process electronically. Before she signed her lease we had a long phone call going through everything. I definitely recommend having a real conversation like a phone call or as @Robert Spencer mentioned, Skype.

    1Reply
  • Nathan MillerPro Member
    Property Manager · Grants Pass, OR · Member since 2009 · 429 posts · 201 votes
    10y

    I've been in similar situations renting to somebody moving in from out of town and they rent the house sight unseen.  In all situations I've had some of the best renters I've ever had, so it can work.  Normally I feel better meeting in person, but if I can't a phone call, skype, or other voice communication is second best.  Also, being extremely diligent about screening them and checking their stated (and maybe unstated) prior landlord references is key to getting a good tenant.

    Have them fax or email you a copy of their ID and other supporting documents to ensure their identity before running background on them though.

    1Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
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    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    10y

    I rented to someone I never met one time (matter of fact I posted about it last year). Rent was paid on time, all the time, house was kept pristine, everything worked out well. 

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  • Account Closed
    Property Manager · Big Bear Lake, CA · Member since 2013 · 585 posts · 330 votes
    10y

    Only twice have I rented to someone sight unseen, and I will never do it again. It isn't about meeting the people, but what if they hate the place when they get there? That was my problem. The people checked out just fine, but when they arrived, they complained about everything. They hated it and said it wasn't what they thought it would be. They made such a stink about it, that I just gave them all their money back and sent them on their way. I could tell they would be a nightmare for a year if I made them stick to the lease. My new policy: I never rent to anyone unless they have seen the place first. If they are moving across the country and can't come see it, then they can call someone else. 

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  • Kimberly H.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 594 votes
    10y

    I rent through MLS as well as show myself, so lots of time I don't meet the people until lease signing and I have no issue with that. However, I don't like the idea of renting a house to someone when they haven't seen it in person. That sounds like trouble, like @Account Closed said, they may have a lot of complaints and not live there as long as someone else.  

    1Reply
  • Joshua Sclafani
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 66 posts · 27 votes
    10y
    I just approved a tenant who I hadn't met face to face. He has a great job, near perfect credit and his references checked out. You don't have to personally like every tenant, just make sure they will pay their rent (or can be sued successfully for it) and there aren't any red flags on the background check or application questions. Good luck!
    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    I did it all the time, due to renting units where techies moved for jobs from all over, and to students moving from out of state/country.  

    It helps to talk to them, but of course, you won't know if their kids are destructive brats.  I only did month to month agreements, so knew I could always kick them out, and they could leave if they weren't happy.  Things usually worked out, but you might want to go with a M2M agreement, and just write into it that as long as they are tenants, the rent won't be increased until they've been there one year.  That's usually their concern regarding M2M agreements.  I just think M2M makes everyone behave better, since either party can end it with 30 days notice.

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  • Richard Ball
    Real Estate Agent · Port Huron, MI · Member since 2012 · 295 posts · 82 votes
    10y

    @Dante Pirouz interesting question, keep us posted on your decision. My initial thoughts are if you see them and then deny them a discriminatory issue may arise so you better have another reason. Have you already verified with the hospital that they are employed and / or going to be employed? Did you send them a video of the house or has someone they trust looked at it?

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