When to share the lease? After prospect applies or before?

Question

I have someone interested in renting my property who keeps asking if I'm a property management company or the owner, after asking if I want to sell (no) and then asking about a short term lease.  After explaining the terms were for a one year lease,  he asked to see the property.  I then stated it was policy to only show properties to qualified tenants willing to accept lease terms, when we have a tenant in the property (to reduce impact on our current tenants quiet enjoyment during their lease. Now, without applying or seeing the property he wants to see the lease. Any thoughts on what's going on here? Should I provide a copy of the lease? )

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Stop talking to them. There's no legal requirement to change your processes or answer ridiculous questions. If they are this difficult before even applying, just imagine how they will be as tenants!

Jason D. · Answer

@Rachel E. Krawcyk ok. If you require a 12 month lease and he's not interested, no reason to show the place

Account Closed · Answer

In today's world, there's a lot of information online, at least for larger apartment complexes.  I was able to prescreen my alternatives down to a short list before getting on the phone.  Because there were vacant units where I ended up living, I was shown a unit "roughly equivalent" to the one I rented.  My unit was still in rehab on the day I applied, but was finished when I moved in a few days later.  The terms of the lease ended up passing the common sense test and I had no problem accepting them once I learned what they were.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

Pass. I can already tell you he is trouble.

Josue Vargas · Answer

@Rachel E. Krawcyk

Nothing wrong with your policies.  Stick to it.  If they are truly interested in your property, they will fist qualify, see the property, read the lease, then negotiate, sign, etc.

I could be wrong, but looks like a somewhat troubled tenant trying to get advantage or find some loop wholes in the lease.

Good luck.

Josue

Rachel E. Krawcyk · Answer

@Amy Beth Thank you Amy.  I've been doing (what I call) batch showings and application processing.  I think I am just trying to get an understanding of standard industry practice,  so I'm responding in kind.

Amy Beth · Answer

@Rachel E. Krawcyk I would not waste your time with this potential applicant since he only wants a short term lease.  But if you are concerned about disturbing your current tenant, I would have a one or two hour window when you will show the apartment to multiple applicants.  It will increase the demand when applicants see others there and it will be less disruptive to the tenant.

John Thedford · Answer

Don't waste your time on this guy.

Rachel E. Krawcyk · Answer

@Jason DiClemente Not all of the terms.  I only said that because he wanted a short term lease and I was requiring a 12 month lease.

Rachel E. Krawcyk · Answer

@Nathan G. I was thinking the same!

When to share the lease? After prospect applies or before?

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