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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  • Alexander FelicePro Member
    Guy with Great Hair · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Cynthia N.:

    I Apologize let me refraze,some of you not all, are here discussing topics and making jokes about renters recieving public assistance and having personal problem ect..Im just asking if anyone on here actually knows that it's Morally wrong and discriminating. I don't think there is a site for renters discussing how they feel about Realtors, Investors, Landlords just stating.

     Is it just tenant applicants that say the dumbest things????

    This thread just became meta into itself.

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    7Reply
  • Jeffery Waicak
    Investor · Massillon, OH · Member since 2015 · 266 posts · 156 votes
    9y

    this was a few months back. I was renting a 2/1 house(700 sq ft).  Guy pulls up in a pretty nice clean truck, hope out with a nice outfit right around my age.                              He tells me that he hurt his hand, missed work got behind, was getting evicted. It's late fall and he's a hardscaper so I ask about layoffs,  he says no he works year round. He has 3 kids and the bedrooms are small, he hasn't walked the house. I suggest he looks to see if it's big enough.  He said he thinks they may be able make it work. 

      I say well if you want, call back and we will start our background check.  There's a short silence, he looks around and says did you buy this house, or did your dad give it to you?  I'm at the time, dressed like a bum,dirty hoodie and jeans,  tore up shoes. My 2005 grand caravan with character adding rust is outside.   I laugh and said yes I bought this house,  as a matter of fact, I started with nothing, and I still have most of it left.  

    12Reply
  • Rick BassettBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Greater New Haven, CT · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 434 votes
    9y

    A lady pulls up in an SUV with a window sticker on it that says 'Proud Pit Bull Mom'.

    Our ad says 40lb limit on dogs and none at that are on the  Insurance warning lists.

    She looked at the place and loved it.

    She claimed that her dogs are some mixed breed (never heard off) and that they are puppies under 40lbs. 

    I said that I've got to meet the dogs and they have to pass the hand in front of face test and reminded her that 40lbs was the full grown limit. 

    I asked her about the Pit Bull sticker, she turned bright red, then went into spin mode saying 'that's an old car with an old sticker'. 

    Never heard back from her.

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  • Jack B.
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Rick Bassett:

    A lady pulls up in an SUV with a window sticker on it that says 'Proud Pit Bull Mom'.

    Our ad says 40lb limit on dogs and none at that are on the  Insurance warning lists.

    She looked at the place and loved it.

    She claimed that her dogs are some mixed breed (never heard off) and that they are puppies under 40lbs. 

    I said that I've got to meet the dogs and they have to pass the hand in front of face test and reminded her that 40lbs was the full grown limit. 

    I asked her about the Pit Bull sticker, she turned bright red, then went into spin mode saying 'that's an old car with an old sticker'. 

    Never heard back from her.

    I always love the "mixed breed" answer. I once told the applicant that she would have to provide proof of the breed before the dog would be accepted, and that the listing stated dogs 15 lbs or less. She graciously offered to let ME pay for her mixed breeds genetic testing. I just looked at her, walked to the door and showed her out.

    0Reply
  • Walter G.
    Investor · Roswell, GA · Member since 2017 · 4 posts · 8 votes
    9y

    I listed an 800 sq ft, 1br downtown condo at a fair market rate, 12-month lease, one parking space included.

    Prospective tenant comes in with 2 roommates and not a verifiable income between them.  He's almost bragging when he says they need to move in a hurry because they're breaking a lease and planning to sue their current landlord.  Tells me they're all graduating college soon so nothing longer than an 8 month lease will work for them.

    I'm already walking them briskly towards the door when he shares with me that although it is way too small for 3 adults, they love the place and want to apply.  It's just that I need to help them out.  He has no deposit, their max budget is $200 below the advertised price, and they expect me to cover a second parking space at $100/mo.

    I firmly guided him through the door saying how happy I am to help them.  I tell them about a cool new feature on listing sites called a filter.  You set realistic size and budget requirements in there and then you won't waste anyone's time.  That's as much help as I can be.

    Someone else signed a lease at the asking price that same weekend.  This cat emailed about 3 weeks later and offered me one last chance at his previous lowball.

    7Reply
  • Don KonipolBusiness Member
    Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    9y

    I am always amazed at the amount of people who are "going to break the lease and sue the landlord".  Seems the less money, intelligence, and knowledge one has the more they "fantasize" about suing.  

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  • Ben H.
    Investor · Jacksonville , NC · Member since 2015 · 143 posts · 54 votes
    9y

    Because in the eyes of most low-education folks, suing or the lottery is the way to wealth.

    1Reply
  • Jeffrey K.Pro Member
    Lender · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 53 posts · 21 votes
    9y

    I had a woman say she would only rent the apartment if I "could get the city to promise to not use pesticides at the park across the street"

    6Reply
  • Mark H.
    Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 215 posts · 129 votes
    9y

    In their eyes....what do they have to lose?

    0Reply
  • Linda WeygantPro Member
    Investor and CPA · Arvada, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Jeffrey K.:

    I had a woman say she would only rent the apartment if I "could get the city to promise to not use pesticides at the park across the street"

    I see you are from Boulder.  Good thing Boulder is a nuke-free zone, cause at least she won't have to worry about that! 

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    0Reply
  • Matt M.
    Realtor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Ah the good old Republic of Boulder...

    0Reply
  • Jesse M.
    NJ, NJ · Member since 2014 · 63 posts · 88 votes
    9y

    applicant who lists his monthly income as half of what the monthly rent is and wants to move in with 2 of his coworkers writes to me:

    "I am at the house looking around the outside looks small . I will let me know what we decide on the house . Let me know ."

    um ok, thanks...found that a bit creepy too

    2Reply
  • David J.
    Investor · shawnee oklahoma · Member since 2017 · 194 posts · 148 votes
    9y

    Applicant: How much is the rent again?

    Me: $xxx per month. 

    Applicant: Does food get supplied as part of the deal?

    Me: Nope you will have to buy your own food.

    Applicant: How am I supposed to eat?

    Me: -_-

    10Reply
  • Daria B.
    Rental Property Investor · Gainesville, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 432 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Robin Grimes:

    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.
    .

     LOL I love the "I'm thinking" "I'm saying".....

    3Reply
  • Clint Galliano
    Real Estate Agent · Houma, LA · Member since 2016 · 240 posts · 115 votes
    9y

    Currently listing a home for rent as we finish up the last few details of the rehab and showing it to prospective tenants.

    Had one send a total of 12 messages via Zillow, Trulia, and Craiglist asking to see the property immediately. Since I was going there this morning, I contacted her to come by. She showed up late, then proceeded to tell me that she was evicted from a rental last year, and will most likely break her current lease to move into our rental, so when can she find out when she can move in?

    "Well, ma'am, we will not be finished with the last few details until this weekend, so we will be making our decision next week."

    "But I need to know right away, because if I wait, I will have to pay another month's rent where I am now and won't have the deposit & rent for here..."

    "For reasons previously stated, and because we also have other tenants who applied to rent the property, we will make our decision next week. Here is our application and a document explaining our application process and selection criteria."

    "Oh, OK. Thank you."

    Uhhhhhhhh?!?!?!?!?

    2Reply
  • Ricky B.
    Rental Property Investor · 34209 · Member since 2015 · 48 posts · 22 votes
    9y

    You wonder how some of these people get thru life on a daily basis. I had a renter for 5 years who did not say dumb things, but did stuff that made me scratch my head if she is all there.

    3Reply
  • Rick BassettBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Greater New Haven, CT · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 434 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Clint Galliano:

    Currently listing a home for rent as we finish up the last few details of the rehab and showing it to prospective tenants.

    Had one send a total of 12 messages via Zillow, Trulia, and Craiglist asking to see the property immediately. Since I was going there this morning, I contacted her to come by. She showed up late, then proceeded to tell me that she was evicted from a rental last year, and will most likely break her current lease to move into our rental, so when can she find out when she can move in?

    "Well, ma'am, we will not be finished with the last few details until this weekend, so we will be making our decision next week."

    "But I need to know right away, because if I wait, I will have to pay another month's rent where I am now and won't have the deposit & rent for here..."

    "For reasons previously stated, and because we also have other tenants who applied to rent the property, we will make our decision next week. Here is our application and a document explaining our application process and selection criteria."

    "Oh, OK. Thank you."

    Uhhhhhhhh?!?!?!?!?

    12 Urgent messages is probably grounds for a retraining order :-) 

    Imagine if you let her in and she had a problem, like seeing a mouse, that would probably generate 99 messages.

    Rick

    475-900-3100
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    2Reply
  • Clint Galliano
    Real Estate Agent · Houma, LA · Member since 2016 · 240 posts · 115 votes
    9y

    Yeah, we figured that something was a little off with all the urgent messages...

    0Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Rick Bassett:
    Originally posted by @Clint Galliano:

    Currently listing a home for rent as we finish up the last few details of the rehab and showing it to prospective tenants.

    Had one send a total of 12 messages via Zillow, Trulia, and Craiglist asking to see the property immediately. Since I was going there this morning, I contacted her to come by. She showed up late, then proceeded to tell me that she was evicted from a rental last year, and will most likely break her current lease to move into our rental, so when can she find out when she can move in?

    "Well, ma'am, we will not be finished with the last few details until this weekend, so we will be making our decision next week."

    "But I need to know right away, because if I wait, I will have to pay another month's rent where I am now and won't have the deposit & rent for here..."

    "For reasons previously stated, and because we also have other tenants who applied to rent the property, we will make our decision next week. Here is our application and a document explaining our application process and selection criteria."

    "Oh, OK. Thank you."

    Uhhhhhhhh?!?!?!?!?

    12 Urgent messages is probably grounds for a retraining order :-) 

    Imagine if you let her in and she had a problem, like seeing a mouse, that would probably generate 99 messages.

    Rick

    If we could only get a judge who would issue a retraining order for the people discussed in this topic ... Of course, that would reduce the amount of candidates for this topic's discussion :)

    4Reply
  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    I always figure that someone who sends 12 urgent messages about an available rental is doing so while sitting on their property that has been set out on the curb during an eviction.

    Gail

    6Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Gail K.:

    I always figure that someone who sends 12 urgent messages about an available rental is doing so while sitting on their property that has been set out on the curb during an eviction.

    Gail

    Or watching their personal possessions getting moved to the curb ;)

    2Reply
  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    In my county all the documentation by the Marshall's Service that handles all dispossessory notices are online.   It's gotten to the point where if I receive one of those "I'd like more information" emails from Trulia, Zillow, etc. I check this list first.

    Although our ads CLEARLY state "no history of evictions" I'm finding about half those who send these emails have such a history.  I don't respond any further to them. 

    I did have someone call and report they had received "dispossessory" notices (the first step toward eviction) but did pay what was owed and, eventually moved out before the final eviction was filed (it appears the landlord never actually filed for the eviction because they left prior to doing so).  Therefore, their justification was that they "technically never were evicted".

    Yeah but the online records show EIGHT dispossessory notices.  Sure, I'm going to rent to them.

    The mindset of some tenants seems to be because they weren't actually evicted, all those months of failing to pay until the landlord/management files through the court "doesn't count".

    Gail

    4Reply
  • Tracey Smythe
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2017 · 18 posts · 16 votes
    9y

    Had a potential tenant respond to an ad for a newly renovated house, where all the carpet has been removed and it now has all wood or tile floors.  The ad has over 25 pics.  She fills out a pre-qual form and meets the criteria, so I show it to her.  

    She looks all around the house, while letting her kid flush commodes and hit the walls, then talks to me for a few minutes.  She takes an application, and as she is walking out the door she turns around and asks "does this house have carpet?"  I wanted to tell her "yes, under the wood floor, you just pull it up if you don't like it and then you have carpet".  I told her that it used to have carpet, but we removed it and upgraded to wood flooring.  I told her she was welcome to put down throw rugs.  She told me wood was slippery, shook her head, and left.

    8Reply
  • Don KonipolBusiness Member
    Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    9y

    Well, just had another "crazy" in one of my upper end in town condos in Phoenix.  This guy was listed on the last lease as "other occupant".  The lease is up and he calls me to tell me that he'd like a new lease in his name, and can I use existing deposit.  I tell him no, since the deposit belongs to the tenant who signed the lease.  He tells me that the tenant has "disappeared on him" and I won't be able to find "the body".  Now, I am getting a little nervous.  I call the realtor managing my property, and he tells me that he just met with the tenant who is moving to South America.  So I call the "other occupant" back, to see if he wants to fill out a tenant application, and he tells me no, if he has to put up a month's security deposit he might as well but the property??  So he asks me what price I would be willing to sell at.  Actually, I had just discussed this with my realtor, and we decided that a fair market price was $360,000, if I spent about $6,000 on upgrades/repairs.  So I tell the "occupant" that I would take $340,000 if he has the financial ability to complete the purchase.  He says he'll let me know.  A few days later he calls back, and says he researched the comps, and the property is worth $340,000 - $360,000, but would I be willing to accept $160,000?  I ask why I would just give him $200,000, and he says "because I never damaged your place".  

    Is this guy from another planet, or is it a "generational" thing?

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  • Wesley W.
    Rental Property Investor · The Vampire State · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Don Konipol:

    Is this guy from another planet, or is it a "generational" thing?

     Entitlement mentality created by class warfare waged by the previous executive administration.

    6Reply
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