Tenant Applicants say the dumbest things

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Tenant Applicants say the dumbest things

Robin Grimes
Real Estate Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2010 · 37 posts · 326 votes

Stupid things Tenant Applicant’s say.

I had renovated a nice 4/3/2 and put it on the market for lease. Here are some of the comments from people who toured the property during the open house or called me from signage.

#1
Young single mother with 3yr old in tow. “My boyfriend will be paying the rent, he said to just go find a place, but I want to rent it in my name, so it will be mine alone.”
I’m thinking: I’m not renting to someone without the verified income to pay the rent. Sorry but a promise from a boyfriend just won’t do.
I’m saying: Here’s a rental application. The application fee is $25 but you should know that I will need to verify income and whoever is paying will need to be on the application and lease.

#2
Middle aged couple with no kids. Wife says “I don’t like the wood floors. If you can put down carpet and repaint to something brighter, we’d be interested. Also you will need to replace the stove.”
I’m thinking: The wood floors are new laminate that I just spent $1400 and two days installing. The paint is all new also. If you want to remodel a house, go buy one yourself.
I’m saying: Here’s a rental application. The application fee is $25. The property is being rented in its newly remodeled condition.

#3
Family. Made appointment and met me at house. Husband says “I need a 3 car garage.”
I’m thinking: The 2 in 4/3/2 stands for TWO car garage. Plus the photos show it’s a two car garage, so why are you here wasting my time and yours? Did you think I was hiding a third garage bay in the back yard?
I’m saying: Here’s a rental application. The application fee is $25. This house only has a two car garage.

#4
Very young guy, young 20’s maybe, called me from sign in yard. He’s parked at house. Says: “ I need a big place for my girlfriend and our 3 month old since we want to have more kids. Could you help me out and rent it to me for $xxx” (about ½ the rental rate).
I’m thinking: So you’re requesting that I contribute half your rent so you can have more kids that you can’t house and support.
I’m saying: I’m happy to provide an application. The application fee is $25. Sorry the rental rate is firm.
.

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Don KonipolBusiness Member
Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes
14y

Last year I was renting a high end high rise condo - rent $1800 per month. A guy asked if I could give him the first 6 months free and waive the security deposit, after he found a job he would make double payments the second 6 months.

Had a tenant a few years back that signed a 12 month lease. always paid her rent on time. The lease of course becomes a month to month if she stays on. I asked her if she desired to renew the lease at expiration, or would she be moving. She said that since she fullfilled her lease obligation by paying 12 months rent she would stay on. She honestly believed that once she paid 12 months rent the apartment was hers for free for as long as she wanted!

But the best one was the tenant that always had an excuse for late rent. One month he told me he had sent the check in on the 2nd, of course I had not received it by the 5th. When I did receive it it was dated the 6th. Called the tenant and told him if he was going to lie at least pre date the check.
The next month I send the tenant an invoice for the rent, late fee, plus $250. The tenant calls and asks what the additional $250 is for. I told him it was a "lying fee". A couple days later I received the rent, late fee, and an additional $500. Called the tenant to ask why he sent an additional $500. He said he knew he would lie to me again in the future so he was prepaying an additional lying fee! BTW, although he is no longer a tenant and hasn't been for some time, he is now a friend. The entertainment value of this guy far outweighted the aggravation.

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  • Mitchell Jaworski
    Rental Property Investor · Boynton Beach, FL · Member since 2014 · 273 posts · 197 votes
    11y

    Goodness, this thread is making me NOT want to get another property....LMAO.

    Tenant on my current property is always late, always pays, but always late.  Every month there is an excuse.  He doesn't realize he's at the point where he's now recycling them, comical.  

    5Reply
  • Joshua Chen
    Investor · Riverside, CA · Member since 2015 · 185 posts · 27 votes
    11y

    Very um.. interesting applications

    0Reply
  • Aly W.
    Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    @Mitchell Jaworski, tell him you'll waive the late fee if he comes up with something unique ;)

    3Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    11y

    How many times has his mother dies ?

    2Reply
  • Jennifer T.Pro Member
    Investor · New Orleans, LA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 944 votes
    11y

    When I bought my first property, I was looking for a multi-family to start of REI with the proverbial "live in one unit, rent the other". Needless to say, I saw a lot of non-owner occupied houses.

    Although I didn't own this house and was only there for my showing, it was at least an eye opener.  The person who opened the door to let myself and my realtor in was a teenager.  We asked for the tenant by name, who had been informed we would be coming.  She had left 20 minutes earlier.  Apparently the high schooler was in charge.  We walked through the first floor.  Nothing too unusual, but about 3 young children running around.

    Then it gets interesting.  We walk to the second floor, which had a large open space and then two bedrooms.  There were two bare mattresses in each bedroom and four bare mattresses in the open space.  Plus some clothes in the closet and a few toys strewn around.  That was it.  No other furniture at all.  Not even sheets on the mattresses.  Oh yeah, and there were four different young children playing on the second floor.

    Onto the third floor, which was really more of an attic that had "sort of" been turned into a living space, except there was no A/C or heat there.  Two more bare mattresses, nothing else.

    To total it up.  7 children, all under the age of 8.  And10 bare mattresses strewn about.  Yikes!

    3Reply
  • Stephen E.
    St Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2013 · 575 posts · 408 votes
    11y

    I have a nice townhouse up for rent at the moment. It is really nice, new flooring, fresh paint, finished basement and five new appliances. I posted the ad online yesterday and have several showings booked already. The latest was a tenant applicant who was an international student. He explained at great length that he and his cousin live together in a small apartment but he was expecting family from overseas to visit for the summer. His family had asked him to find somewhere larger so that they could be comfortable. How many visitors would be staying at the house, I asked. "Seven or eight" he said. This is a relatively small three bedroom townhouse.

    Next!

    3Reply
  • Lois S.
    Investor · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2013 · 195 posts · 52 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Don Konipol:

    Last year I was renting a high end high rise condo - rent $1800 per month. A guy asked if I could give him the first 6 months free and waive the security deposit, after he found a job he would make double payments the second 6 months.

    Had a tenant a few years back that signed a 12 month lease. always paid her rent on time. The lease of course becomes a month to month if she stays on. I asked her if she desired to renew the lease at expiration, or would she be moving. She said that since she fullfilled her lease obligation by paying 12 months rent she would stay on. She honestly believed that once she paid 12 months rent the apartment was hers for free for as long as she wanted!

    But the best one was the tenant that always had an excuse for late rent. One month he told me he had sent the check in on the 2nd, of course I had not received it by the 5th. When I did receive it it was dated the 6th. Called the tenant and told him if he was going to lie at least pre date the check.
    The next month I send the tenant an invoice for the rent, late fee, plus $250. The tenant calls and asks what the additional $250 is for. I told him it was a "lying fee". A couple days later I received the rent, late fee, and an additional $500. Called the tenant to ask why he sent an additional $500. He said he knew he would lie to me again in the future so he was prepaying an additional lying fee! BTW, although he is no longer a tenant and hasn't been for some time, he is now a friend. The entertainment value of this guy far outweighted the aggravation.

    1Reply
  • Lois S.
    Investor · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2013 · 195 posts · 52 votes
    11y

    Really???   This has to be made up!   LOL!

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Jennifer T.:

    ...

    To total it up.  7 children, all under the age of 8.  And10 bare mattresses strewn about.  Yikes!

    Large quantity of mattresses facilitates the activity that leads to large quantity of children :)

    5Reply
  • Eric Hrlbock
    Rental Property Investor · Poughkeepsie, NY · Member since 2013 · 262 posts · 96 votes
    11y

    I had two possible tenants in mid 40's looking at the place, I ask if either of them have any questions. The husband asked if I smoke, I said no. He asked if I smoked weed, I was confused. He said" you know it's legal in some states." I just looked at him and his wife looked so embarrassed. He continued to tell me that "I know it's a no smoking building but I smoke weed everyday. I need to smoke and I don't want trouble with the law." I told them it's against policy but a good question.  Boy sometimes people make screening so easy.  

    5Reply
  • Monae Petty-Owens
    Washington, DC · Member since 2015 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    11y
    Great read! Hilarious!!
    0Reply
  • Aly W.
    Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    At least he gets points for honesty.

    0Reply
  • Lew Payne
    Property Manager · Boise, ID · Member since 2014 · 160 posts · 192 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Don Konipol:

    The next month I send the tenant an invoice for the rent, late fee, plus $250. The tenant calls and asks what the additional $250 is for. I told him it was a "lying fee". A couple days later I received the rent, late fee, and an additional $500. Called the tenant to ask why he sent an additional $500. He said he knew he would lie to me again in the future so he was prepaying an additional lying fee! BTW, although he is no longer a tenant and hasn't been for some time, he is now a friend. The entertainment value of this guy far outweighted the aggravation.

     Priceless... some people just can't help themselves, but that's what makes them lovable!

    2Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    Haven't had one like this in a while:

    2015.04.28 @19:30 ADT - phone rings.

    [Me]: Oui, Allo.

    [Prospect]: Yeah, is your apartment on <such-n-such> still available?

    [Me:] Yes, it is.

    [Prospect]: Can we see it tonight?

    [Me]: No, that would not be possible.

    [Prospect]: Well, then can we see it tomorrow morning?

    [Me]:  The current tenant is cleaning the apartment tomorrow and his exit inspection is Thursday.  We are booking viewings for Friday afternoon between 13:00 and 15:00 would you like ...<interrupted>

    [Prospect]: Friday!?  We have to be out of our apartment by Thursday, so we need to see it sooner.

    [Me]: Thursday ... well, there's no way we could complete the application and screening process by then anyway.

    [Prospect]:  Oh, there's an application?

    [Me]:  Certainly, would you like us to e-mail one to you?

    [Prospect]:  No, that's no good.  Goodbye.

    4Reply
  • Lois S.
    Investor · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2013 · 195 posts · 52 votes
    11y

    Zut alors!  Thanks for the laugh!!

    2Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    the squirrel tenant just texted - "My hard is the best on the block.".

    i think she meant "yard".

    11Reply
  • Kimberly H.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 594 votes
    11y

    Potential applicant called, then texted "hello" at 3:43am. Fortunately to a Google voice/text number I place in the ad that I have set to "do not disturb".

    2Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    a tenant texted in Feb saying "the rent is getting harder to pay with the kid going to college. I will move out in July to save some money".

    We texted yesterday to confirm the move out day and she said "No. I wasn't plan on it".

    4Reply
  • Christopher Zito
    Investor · Manhattan, KS · Member since 2015 · 15 posts · 7 votes
    11y

    HAs a woman to rent a side of my duplex. Under income she put "$500. chi sport."

    Took my wife and I a while to figure out "$500 child support"

    Next!

    4Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    4 days later, the squirrel tenant texts and says "I meant MY YARD is best on block...."

    5Reply
  • Kimberly H.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 594 votes
    11y

    Text transcript with someone I have never met or talked to, just this text thread:

           them-What utilities are included and what aren't and are pets available              

    Me: Since this is a single family home, the tenant is responsible for all utilities. What pets do you have?            

        them- Baby pit bull size of a small dog she won't grow no more less than 50lbs              

    Me: Thanks for your interest, but landlord doesn't accept pit bulls.             

             them- Thanks for discrimination.

    I am *so* tired of applicants claiming "discrimination" anytime they are told something they don't like that has nothing to do with actual protected classes, ugh.

    Should I have just not replied at all? Although other realtors do it all the time, it still feels rude to just leave people hanging.

    2Reply
  • Marcia Maynard
    Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    You did the right thing. You gave a fair reply to his inquiry and you did not discriminate against a protected class. I'm with you... communicating in a clear, concise, timely and courteous manner is a sign of good business. Ignoring the inquiry would be rude and unprofessional.

    5Reply
  • Kimberly T.
    Investor · Colorado Springs CO · Member since 2014 · 535 posts · 253 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Kimberly H.:

    Text transcript with someone I have never met or talked to, just this text thread:

           them-What utilities are included and what aren't and are pets available              

    Me: Since this is a single family home, the tenant is responsible for all utilities. What pets do you have?            

        them- Baby pit bull size of a small dog she won't grow no more less than 50lbs              

    Me: Thanks for your interest, but landlord doesn't accept pit bulls.             

             them- Thanks for discrimination.

    I am *so* tired of applicants claiming "discrimination" anytime they are told something they don't like that has nothing to do with actual protected classes, ugh.

    Should I have just not replied at all? Although other realtors do it all the time, it still feels rude to just leave people hanging.

    I agree with Marcia, it's best to provide a professional reply to a question.

    For the record, "discrimination" in and of itself is not illegal.  Only discrimination against protected classes is illegal.  You can discriminate based on income (though not source of income, at least in some states), credit, pets, tattoos, etc.

    4Reply
  • Kimberly H.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 594 votes
    11y

    @Kimberly T.  Yes, I know what the webster's definition of discrimination is, but whenever used by a tenant/potential tenant they always mean it as a threat in a legal context with regards to illegal discrimination.

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    11y

    I showed a 2 bedroom today , the applicant liked the place and asked " how much are the utilities ? "  I told her right now they are $ 25.00 a month but the unit is empty . She said " Great , so my utilities wont be that much more "   Sure , as long as you dont wash or dry clothes , use hot water , watch tv or cook , you wont be paying much more . 

    2Reply
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