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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  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Nuhan Demirkan:

    This happens all the time...

    Call comes in,

    I'm calling about the house

    me: sure what would you like to know?

    How many bedrooms?

    me: 3

    3?

    me: yes

    How many bathrooms?

    me: 2

    2?

    me: yes

    How much is the rent?

    me $1600

    $1600?

    me: click!

    When I have a "for rent" sign out, it doesn't have any of that info so them asking and repeating would not be so odd, especially with cell phone service being spotty in many locations with the cheap carriers. 

    2Reply
  • Bonnie Lloyd
    Investor · Mexia, TX · Member since 2015 · 10 posts · 2 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Ryan B.:

    Me: You would have to cut the grass.

    Applicant: With a lawnmower?

    Me: That would probably be the easiest way.

     Just had a tenant with a lease that clearly states they are responsible for taking care of the yard email me wanting to know what to do about the grass. I responded it was their responsibility. He said great! How was he supposed to do that..... he got angry when I suggested he get a mower. He didn't think he should buy a mower for MY grass!

    2Reply
  • Marcia Maynard
    Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:
    Originally posted by @Nuhan Demirkan:

    This happens all the time...

    Call comes in,

    I'm calling about the house

    me: sure what would you like to know?

    How many bedrooms?

    me: 3

    3?

    me: yes

    How many bathrooms?

    me: 2

    2?

    me: yes

    How much is the rent?

    me $1600

    $1600?

    me: click!

    When I have a "for rent" sign out, it doesn't have any of that info so them asking and repeating would not be so odd, especially with cell phone service being spotty in many locations with the cheap carriers. 

    Also, those who are hard of hearing might repeat back what they heard to make sure they heard it right. Nothing here that would warrant hanging up on a prospective tenant.

    5Reply
  • Account Closed
    San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Kimberly H.:

    @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.

     Yeah, I used to answer with "That's right.  It's my job to discriminate against tenants who have animals who can't be insured, or who won't be able to pay the bills, or who smokes, or who are criminals  or whatever their issue is.

    Then I tell them that there are only a few groups of people that I can't discriminate against.  But, my job is all about discriminating.  But, unless they are a member of a protected class, they won't have a discrimination claim against me.  And if they don't believe me, they're free to call fair housing to double check.

    I can't stand bullies.  I got sick of dealing with this threatening behavior, too, so I got back in their face, so to speak.  Not in a hostile manner, but a firm matter-of-fact manner.

    I even had a guy fresh out of prison claim discrimination, and his sister who he was living with, kept banging on my door and yelling that I needed to take her brother or they'd sue (apparently she wanted him out of her house lol).  I yelled back, if I hear from you again or you are on this property again, she'll be talking to a police officer.  In fact, I'm dialing 911 right now.

    I tell you, it's sometimes scary being a resident manager.  I had persistent angry applicants stalking me when I'd leave the building.  Had to call the cops several times.  So glad I'm retired.

    2Reply
  • Kimberly H.
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 594 votes
    11y

    @Account Closed

    Yikes!

    0Reply
  • Aly W.
    Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:
    Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:
    Originally posted by @Nuhan Demirkan:

    This happens all the time...

    Call comes in,

    I'm calling about the house

    me: sure what would you like to know?

    How many bedrooms?

    me: 3

    3?

    me: yes

    How many bathrooms?

    me: 2

    2?

    me: yes

    How much is the rent?

    me $1600

    $1600?

    me: click!

    When I have a "for rent" sign out, it doesn't have any of that info so them asking and repeating would not be so odd, especially with cell phone service being spotty in many locations with the cheap carriers. 

    Also, those who are hard of hearing might repeat back what they heard to make sure they heard it right. Nothing here that would warrant hanging up on a prospective tenant.

     I've gotten many calls like this. No one seemed hard of hearing, just hard of comprehending ;) When I asked if they'd read the ad, they would say no - they just looked at the photos and called. I nicely refer them back to the ad for all the information. 

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y

    @Aly W. - my "for rent" sign does not have any extra information, so I know they couldn't have read the ad when that was the source of the call. Sure, lots of the ones responding to an online ad don't read the ad, but I won't even be on the phone with those, because it's a waste of time. Have them respond via email with specific info in their reply, and if the email reply lacks that specific info, you know they are not reading or paying attention - and my ad won't have a phone number, so there won't be any call. 

    0Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:

    @Aly W. - my "for rent" sign does not have any extra information, so I know they couldn't have read the ad when that was the source of the call. Sure, lots of the ones responding to an online ad don't read the ad, but I won't even be on the phone with those, because it's a waste of time. Have them respond via email with specific info in their reply, and if the email reply lacks that specific info, you know they are not reading or paying attention - and my ad won't have a phone number, so there won't be any call. 

    steve,

    are your rentals mostly on busy streets? i find it hard to believe that people drive inside the subs to look for houses to rent.

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y

    @George P. - they are not inside subdivisions. Not really busy streets either. I put the "for rent" signs up on all the ones I own close to the one that will be vacant. Some callers only see one sign, others see more than one, and some see them all. So some will do quite a bit of driving in the section where they want to live. In any case, mission accomplished - the phone rang. 

    But I imagine that if a subdivision had a couple hundred homes and there were rentals there, and a tenant set that subdivision as their target, you could expect  some of them to drive the entire subdivision. 

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

    It's fast and easy to tell an applicant to go back and look at the ad, then they can call again if it's what they're looking for. Occasionally I'll have someone call who said a friend saw the ad and told them to call. If I have the time, and the caller seems like a potentially qualified applicant, I don't mind a minute or two. 

    I don't use signs. Our rental condo complexes don't allow them, and in the area of our SFRs, a For Rent sign might as well say Steal Our Pipes!

    5Reply
  • Rich Schmidt
    Investor · Valparaiso, IN · Member since 2011 · 103 posts · 65 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Aly W.:

    I don't use signs. 

    I used to use a sign in addition to a Craigslist ad. After a while I realized that even though I was spending lots of time on the sign folks, I always ended up renting to someone who contacted me in response to the Craigslist ad. So I quit using the sign.

    Do I still get calls from people who don't have the ad in front of them? Yep. Often they've sent emails in response to lots of ads, and they can't keep them straight after the fact. "Which one was this again? Was this the house with the ____?" It's a little annoying, but not that big of a deal.

    1Reply
  • Stephen E.
    St Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2013 · 575 posts · 408 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:

    @George P. - they are not inside subdivisions. Not really busy streets either. I put the "for rent" signs up on all the ones I own close to the one that will be vacant. Some callers only see one sign, others see more than one, and some see them all. So some will do quite a bit of driving in the section where they want to live. In any case, mission accomplished - the phone rang. 

    But I imagine that if a subdivision had a couple hundred homes and there were rentals there, and a tenant set that subdivision as their target, you could expect  some of them to drive the entire subdivision. 

     To anyone doubting the value of signs, I had a professionally printed For Lease sign in the window of one of my units that the tenant had just given notice on. A couple were driving by looking at neighbourhoods last week, and they saw the sign. They called and arranged a viewing, made application and everything checked out. We're signing the lease on Saturday. I thought this one was going to be a tough unit to lease, but I got the right applicant within seven days of first going on the market. Signs do not work all the time, but when it comes to applicants it only takes one to meet screening and make a deal.

    I guess this is the antithesis of the theme of this thread. These are tenant applicants that said the right things not dumb things, they were stable, good credit, had strong landlord references, and lived in decent surroundings (final step was a visit to check their place while ostensibly just being there to check pay stubs).

    Bottom line: signs can pay off. Low tech sometimes beats high tech. It is best to use a range of marketing tools to get the word out.

    1Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y

    @Stephen E. - you only used one sign. Imagine how many more times the phone rings when you have multiple "for rent" signs around the neighborhood. Try it next vacancy. 

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

    Showed my 2 bedroom duplex this evening , the couple liked it and then asked how do we get to the rest of the house ?  I replied , This is it you just saw it . Then she pointed to the other unit , I told them thats another unit . OH we cant rent 1/2 a house .   

    11Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Matthew Paul:

    Showed my 2 bedroom duplex this evening , the couple liked it and then asked how do we get to the rest of the house ?  I replied , This is it you just saw it . Then she pointed to the other unit , I told them thats another unit . OH we cant rent 1/2 a house .   

    7Reply
  • Account Closed
    San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:

    @Stephen E. - you only used one sign. Imagine how many more times the phone rings when you have multiple "for rent" signs around the neighborhood. Try it next vacancy. 

     Steve, don't your tenants object to having a for rent sign in front of their homes?  Don't people come knock on their doors and look in their windows, try to see into the backyard, etc.?  As a tenant, I would object to this.  

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

    I have not had problems with a sign in the window or on a post outside the property. There is a guy in town who services the realtors' signs and will put up a sign post for $28 then take it away afterwards. I was about to have him come out and put one up for me, and then just having the sign in the window did the trick. I don't think this is any different than a private homeowner having a for sale sign outside their property and I have never had people poking around as @Account Closed indicates. If I did have that persistently I would reconsider, but it has not been a problem for my tenants. Generally they are interested in leasing the property as quickly as possible so that the inconvenience of showings stops. I have found that they are quite receptive to having a sign up.

    0Reply
  • Stephen E.
    St Thomas, Ontario · Member since 2013 · 575 posts · 408 votes
    11y

    It does occur to me that though the discussion of signs is very instructive we should perhaps start a separate thread on this topic. The Tenant Applicants say the dumbest things thread is one of the gems of the BP site. And there is no shortage of material! Personally I find it reassuring that I am not the only one who encounters clowns, fools and wackos in the rental process. You meet a succession of inappropriate characters and then boom, the right applicant arrives. It might give you a tilted view of the tenant pool. Surely not all of them are that strange? But it seems a high percentage are, and they will find you whenever you have a vacancy.

    One I had recently was a woman who described herself as a psychotherapist. I was showing a fully renovated apartment. I had endless emails from her in advance of the showing asking for details of this and that, and going on about her plans to open a practice. I told her no businesses were allowed under the lease, she said in effect there was no way she would have her wacko clients near her home. Fair enough. She came and had the most arrogant airs about her. She started by giving me an obviously el cheapo printed business card describing her as a leadership trainer. She had a clipboard and she went around the unit officiously taking notes and making sour comments. She noted despairingly that the unit had no balcony (clearly visible from an exterior photo in the ad); she said she would have to drive everywhere (also noted in the ad that it was situated by major highways) etc., etc. It was one of those rare occasions when I really wanted to say that this clearly wasn't going anywhere and we should stop. As she left she said she would notify me of her decision; I felt like notifying her of mine: no way. I never heard from her again.

    Digging back in the past another favourite applicant was a group of five that wanted to lease a two bedroom townhouse. They all piled in for the showing led by a guy with tattoos that went around his neck, up his throat, and around his jawline. I could just see what the neighbours would think...

    1Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:
    Originally posted by @Steve Babiak:

    @Stephen E. - you only used one sign. Imagine how many more times the phone rings when you have multiple "for rent" signs around the neighborhood. Try it next vacancy. 

     Steve, don't your tenants object to having a for rent sign in front of their homes?  Don't people come knock on their doors and look in their windows, try to see into the backyard, etc.?  As a tenant, I would object to this.  

    Nope, and the occupants already know that the phone number on the sign will get them the address of what will be available. Not really much to snoop. The yards can be seen from a public view, so that!s not a factor. 

    1Reply
  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    This was a new one for me, and after listening to the voicemail I could not help but laugh:


    Hi Dawn this is Larry, I was calling about your home for rent on 60th. We saw in the ad that you don't accept any types of pets, but is there any way you would accept a small-sized monkey? We've had a monkey in our family for years now, so if there's any way you can accept a small-sized monkey, give me a call. It's Larry at [XXX-XXXX].

    He specifically emphasized the words "small-sized" in the voicemail.

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  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Dawn Anastasi:

    This was a new one for me, and after listening to the voicemail I could not help but laugh:


    Hi Dawn this is Larry, I was calling about your home for rent on 60th. We saw in the ad that you don't accept any types of pets, but is there any way you would accept a small-sized monkey? We've had a monkey in our family for years now, so if there's any way you can accept a small-sized monkey, give me a call. It's Larry at [XXX-XXXX].

    He specifically emphasized the words "small-sized" in the voicemail.

     monkeys are worse than pytons, ill behaved kids and dogs that dont go outside. combined.

    i have a buddy that go so tired of their "newly adopted pet monkey" that took him in the back yard and shot him for throwing sheet everywhere.

    1Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Dawn Anastasi:

    This was a new one for me, and after listening to the voicemail I could not help but laugh:


    Hi Dawn this is Larry, I was calling about your home for rent on 60th. We saw in the ad that you don't accept any types of pets, but is there any way you would accept a small-sized monkey? We've had a monkey in our family for years now, so if there's any way you can accept a small-sized monkey, give me a call. It's Larry at [XXX-XXXX].

    He specifically emphasized the words "small-sized" in the voicemail.

    I think the monkey's name is "Larry" :)

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

    Had some good ones this week 

    " Dont you want to help out a young couple? "         No , not really

    " We really need 3 bedrooms "          The ad says its a 2 bedroom  why are you here 

    " Why didnt you say it was small ? "    The add says its 750 sq feet . 

    " Can we pay the security deposit  after we get ours back from our landlord "     No 

    " And the rent is all inclusive utilites and all "      Your kidding right ? 

    " How fast does the grass grow ? "            I have never timed it . 

    4Reply
  • Kelly N.
    Investor · SE, MI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 461 votes
    11y

    I had a lady call me today and argue about where my house was located.  She asked for the cross streets and told me those streets never cross each other, and as it turns out she lives only 2 blocks north of the house which is on a one way street that leads to the freeway.  I can't wait to meet her, if she can find the apartment!

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

    An application, which I received from a real estate agent, said, "I know this may be off-putting, but I am a professional gambler making 4k-5k/month. I am one of the leading gamblers in the area. Now that I have been honest and upfront about it you should rent to me". Out of curiosity,  I did google their name and "gambler" and found nothing.

    0Reply
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