Two girls, one room: help me pick the tenant!

Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 198 posts · 323 votes

I have one room left to rent out in my group house and I have two girls who have the exact same credit history, they submitted the rental application within minutes of each other, they showed up to look at the house at the exact same time, they both want to move in on the same date, basically they are equal in every way. How should I fairly decide who I should offer the room to? Decide based on whose name comes first in Alphabetical order? Take votes in the BP forums? This is one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make as a landlord! Help me!!

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Shawn M.

Investor · New Haven, CT · Member since 2012 · 285 posts · 175 votes

Get a Bunk bed

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Account Closed
Real Estate Agent · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8y
close your eyes clear your mind and imagine one of the tenants living in your home That is the tenant you want
1 Reply
Nicole A.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore County Maryland and Tampa Florida · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
If they're both the same as applicants, then I'd say pick the one who turned it in first (even if it was literally by just a few minutes).
If these are applicants to a room in a home that you also live in, choose the one that seems to fit your household style the best.
1 Reply
Matt Carey
Investor · Brandon, FL · Member since 2017 · 178 posts · 67 votes
8y
with all else equal, go with the one that submitted first.
1 Reply
Deanna McCormick
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8y
go with first submitted for approval, and tell her she's got 24 hours to get everything signed and money in. Wait to tell #2 your decision until #1 has all signed..
3 Reply
Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
8y
Ways to pick - consider showing behavior - consider length of employment - consider responsiveness dont let the second choice go until the first makes the deposit.
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Shawn M.
Investor · New Haven, CT · Member since 2012 · 285 posts · 175 votes
8y
Get a Bunk bed
9 Reply
Ashley Hernandez
Yuba City, CA · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 52 votes
8y
"This is one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make as a landlord" hahaha! I wish that was one of the only tough decisions we had!!! :) I would go with Deanna's suggestion!
1 Reply
Ron Gallagher
OP
Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 198 posts · 323 votes
8y
Ultimately, I looked at where both of the potential tenants worked and used google maps to determine who the house is a better fit for based on what their commute would be, then I followed Deanna's advice and offered the room to the one who would have the better commute if she can sign the lease and give me the security deposit within 24 hours.
Thanks to all for your help in this dilemma!
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Matthew Paul
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
8y
flip a coin
0 Reply
Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
8y
You did not dig deep enough in your screening process. No two people are ever equal. You need to dig deeper into their personalities if the facts are the same. One will be crazier than the other.
4 Reply
Steve Babiak
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
8y
Originally posted by @Thomas S.:

You did not dig deep enough in your screening process. No two people are ever equal. You need to dig deeper into their personalities if the facts are the same. One will be crazier than the other.
I agree with Thomas. You have to look at all of the social media sites these days. Last one I rejected had a YouTube channel and that had mostly nightclub videos on it, twerking away ...
Since you have a rooming situation, you definitely want somebody who will not be disruptive.
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Roger S.
Investor · TX · Member since 2015 · 393 posts · 290 votes
8y
Three's Company.
1 Reply
Sam Shueh
Real Estate Agent · Cupertino, CA · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8y
I will approach both be honest with them. Often one wants more will offer more.
1 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
8y
If they were absolutely equal, the first one to apply and be approved would be the first one I offer it to. That's the fair way.
As @Thomas S. said, I'm sure there's something different about them that you just haven't found yet. How much do they earn and how long have they been at their current job or in their current career? Who has more open lines of credit or hits on their credit report? Who drives the nicer (cleaner) car? What is their income:debt ratio? Which one shows more respect? How long did they stay at their last rental and how long have they been renters in their life?
There are many, many questions you could ask to differentiate the two.
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Ron Gallagher
OP
Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 198 posts · 323 votes
8y
Originally posted by @Roger S.:

Three's Company.
Yeah and I'm Mr. Furley.
1 Reply
Michael Jones
Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2017 · 199 posts · 253 votes
8y
Sounds like a fight to the death. Sell tickets.
0 Reply
Ron Gallagher
OP
Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 198 posts · 323 votes
8y
I ultimately offered the room to the person who worked closer to the house so they would have a better commute. Really I was looking out for the other tenant since her commute to work each day would have been awful. People tend to overuse the word "hero" so I won't use it to describe myself in this situation but clearly I'm doing the Lord's work over here. :)
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