Rocklin · Member since 2017 · 115 posts · 37 votes
Hi BP,
I will have a vacancy in one of the unit in my duplex by end of this month.
I have put an Ad on Zillow and put my requirements out there. So far, I have about 20 ppl interested - honestly half of this probably not even gonna show up during showing early next month.
This morning I got a text from someone who lives in the area (a couple houses away from my duplex). He says he is very interested and knows my other tenant who is still staying in my other unit (unit A).
Somehow I am bit worried renting to their “circle of friends”. Am I wrong on this?
One thing is that my current tenant in unit A pays below market rent (i have a deal with them).
I have been renting unit B for market rent. Im worried that when it comes time to raise the rent, they may complain and refer to my unit A tenant rent price., etc...
Secondly, I dont know if he is going to meet the requirements. Sounds like he is trying to get the place just because they know each other.
What should I do?
@Tony H. You should always screen all your tenants regardless if they know someone in the community or not. Good credit, proof of employment, good rental history with references, etc. This is basic information a landlord would want to know to make a determination. Once they know your requirements they know you mean business and will either provide the information to you or not. Hope this helps.
THis is easy. Follow the steps like any other applicant. Show the property, get the application, do your due diligence- credit, background check and then take the most qualified applicant.
The rent diffference does not matter. You will be up front about the rent to the new person and he will agree or not agree to the price. What you rent to others is irrelevant.
The current tenant in Unit A was inherited tenant. So, they really never gone through my requirements and I believe they won't even pass if I were to ask them to fulfill my requirements.
However, the last 15 months since I became their landlord, they have been great tenant. Pay on time.. and accommodating if things need to be done at the duplex. - this has helped me a lot by not having to drive 4 hours roundtrip to fix simple stuffs.
Now, what will happen if I reject this guy (assuming he cant meet the requirements)?
I'm just trying to prepare for a couple scenarios of what will happen.