Leasing To Someone Relocating

[Guevara M.]

Have someone who just graduated from a university and is relocating for work and is interested in renting my condo. Application all checked out and had My Smart Move run the background checks and it all checked out good. She has not seen the rental in person since she is so far away. I've sent her numerous photos of everything. She wants to find something by August 1st so that she can just drive down here and move everything in and start her new job. I have not had much luck with anyone meeting all the rental requirements other than this individual. It's been vacant for a few months already so would it be a bad idea to lease to her even though I have not met her in person and also that she has not seen the property in person?

[Nathan Gesner]

@Guevara M. said she "checked out good" so I have to assume the only issue is with her renting sight unseen. I don't see that as an issue at all unless you're renting a lower-quality rental or location.

Some people will insist on renting sight unseen and then after moving in they start to complain that the rooms aren't as big as they thought or they want a different neighborhood. I put the kabosh on that a couple years ago by adding the following clause to my lease:

All Parties agree that Applicants were given the opportunity to inspect the property prior to signing the lease. Applicants declined to do so at their own choosing and for their own convenience. Applicants understand AWR has, to the furthest extent possible, cleaned and made all necessary repairs in order to maintain the property in a clean, presentable and habitable condition. Parties agree maintenance shall be done as required by the lease agreement. Applicant agrees a cancellation of the rental agreement based on the neighborhood, floor plan, ordinary wear-and-tear, or other personal preferences shall be treated as a violation of the lease and grounds for complete forfeiture of the security deposit. Applicant acknowledges they were advised to seek appropriate counsel regarding the risks of renting a property “sight unseen”.