Does this info I found on Facebook legitimately matter?

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Does this info I found on Facebook legitimately matter?

Kelly Bellini
Sharpsburg, GA · Member since 2017 · 93 posts · 99 votes

I'm in the process of finding new tenants for one of our houses, and I've pretty much got it narrowed down to this single mom and her 3 kids.  But, there's just one thing bothering me, and I wanted to reach out to you guys to see if this is ACTUALLY a problem, and if I need to do anything about it.  When she came to see the house, she brought her "brother" with her, at least that's who they said he was.  He had a child, and she had her 3 children.  No problem at all.  I liked them all.  But then, I looked her up on Facebook, as I do with all potential applicants, and it actually said that she was "in a relationship" with him.  And he's not her brother.  I know this is her personal business, but I don't feel good about starting things off with what seems to be a lie.  Is there some reason to even lie about this, that I'm not thinking of?  I'm just confused, and I hate any red flags (obviously).  Should I ask her?  Or is that overstepping?  Was I even allowed to look on FB? Should I just let it go, and continue on with her credit/background check?  It seems that the only potential problem is if he moves in, and he's not on the lease, and I didn't credit check him.  But, why the lie???  Any thoughts you have are MUCH appreciated.  Thanks!!

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Adam Martin
Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
5y

The reason she said it was her brother is it isn’t as likely that you would be concerned with him moving in as you would her boyfriend and wouldn’t raise a red flag.  I can almost guarantee he has evictions, some type of criminal record, or horrible credit, maybe even the trifecta.  He is going to be moving in that’s why he wanted to see it and of course you liked them they were on their best behavior.  People don’t lie unless they have reason to move on, I Facebook stalk every potential renter and it often changes my mind.  People are dumb in what they post I’ve seen drug use smokers saying they don’t smoke with pictures of it in the house and seen series of posts that make me wonder if they are even stable.  Trust your gut and keep moving.  

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  • Robert Beardsley
    Member since 2020 · 117 posts · 84 votes
    5y

    what keeps blowing my mind is all these people who keep posting about help with selecting a tenant then go one to say oh but they lied to be but they seem like great tenants. no they are horrible tenants they are lying to you before they even moved in. get a property manager please

    3Reply
  • Karl B.
    Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    Personally, if someone lies about something when they view a rental and I find out about it I won't rent to them as I don't like red flags. 

    Related to your story, I had a tenant whose baby daddy came out of prison and my tenant introduced him as her cousin. Yet as he was there smoking a cigarette on the front porch and I was doing work outside I repeatedly heard my tenant's kids call him 'daddy' and from then on when I referred to him I called him 'Uncle Daddy'. 

    I don't know why people lie about stupid things like this. I would much rather they be honest with me. 

    3Reply
  • Ben Riechmann
    Investor · Cleveland Heights, OH · Member since 2017 · 128 posts · 73 votes
    5y

    It is important to know all who will be on a lease.  Sometimes people will know their partner has something that does will not pass a background check or credit check.  Maybe a criminal past.  The extra due diligence is worth it.  This keeps you from having headaches down the road.  I drive to where they live now.  If they own a business I drive by that.  The more time you talk to check things out now the less likely you are to have problems later on.  If she lied about who the person was with her, to me that is a major red flag and makes me wonder what issues you might have trouble trusting her on in the future if you rent to her even if he doesn't live there.  We are not in the go by your gut business.  We are in the do a great screening to eliminate the chance you will have a headache later on business.  Do applications with credit checks, criminal backgrounds, and evictions.  If you like them but they are on the line ask for a co-signer or extra months rent.  Make sure that whatever process you have for screening tenants you do the same for everyone no matter who it is.  So it is good to write up what your business system for screening tenants is if you have one rental or 150.  That way also, if it ever comes into question you can show you always go by the same system.

    2Reply
  • Joseph McCrillis
    Member since 2019 · 43 posts · 15 votes
    5y

    She did lie to you and guess what else...she lied in front of her 3 kids and him. Everyone was ok with it which means it's not the first time mommy didn't tell the truth. When I try to slide something by my kids, they rat me out loudly like "what do you mean blah blah blah" lol. It's a safe bet that she will do it again to you down the road. 

    I think your lease should have strong language about extra occupants staying more than XX days and not being on the lease. Mine is at 30 days and many others are at 14 days. this is safe language anyways as you don't want them bringing in roommates etc. They tenant needs to know that you must approve anyone extra via credit/background/qualifications etc. Otherwise an eviction can get started. 

    If this is clear enough it can often be a lie deterrent and possibly have them come clean to you. 

    Be very careful how you state anything about kids, boyfriend etc as that can potentially land you in hot water with fair housing laws. 

    I know your emotions want her for all the right reasons, but you work hard for your properties and need to be thorough with your DD as we rarely see who people really are on first dates, job interviews etc. If you do let her in, add the language to the lease that protects you...and renters insurance as a requirement! 

    Good Luck :) 

    2Reply
  • Kelly Bellini
    OP
    Sharpsburg, GA · Member since 2017 · 93 posts · 99 votes
    5y

    @Robert Beardsley I don’t need a property manager. I’ve picked our 4 other tenants in other rentals, and they’ve been outstanding. When I did use a property manager, we didn’t end up liking the tenants at all, so... I am a nice person, with real emotions, so I do feel for this lady, raising 3 kids on her own. Just came here to ask others with expertise in order to do my due diligence. Deep down, I know that I can’t accept someone who lies, but it still does get to me.

    3Reply
  • Kelly Bellini
    OP
    Sharpsburg, GA · Member since 2017 · 93 posts · 99 votes
    5y

    @Karl B.oh my gosh, that’s so similar to this!! I don’t understand the lying either. I’ve given people the benefit of the doubt when they’ve been honest with me.  I can’t imagine it would be fun to continue to hide who he is...

    0Reply
  • Kelly Bellini
    OP
    Sharpsburg, GA · Member since 2017 · 93 posts · 99 votes
    5y

    @Ben Riechmann yup,I definitely need a set system. I think not having one is part of what makes the “choosing tenants” process so stressful to me! It’s truly the worst part of having rentals (for me). Woah, you drive by their addresses! That’s dedication. Awesome!

    1Reply
  • Kelly Bellini
    OP
    Sharpsburg, GA · Member since 2017 · 93 posts · 99 votes
    5y

    @Joseph McCrillis thank you so much! You nailed it—my emotions make me feel for her. And holy cow, my kid is the exact same way!! A blabber! I can’t get away with anything!! You make such an excellent point about the kids. She very well could lie to me a million more times, and I would be so stressed out. Great idea on adding the wording to the lease!! Will definitely do that.

    2Reply
  • William Henderson
    Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini I think you just answered your own question re: “why would she do that?” I assume she is concerned about placing him on the lease officially. That could be because of bad credit or criminal background or anything. Regardless of the reason why she would lie, in my opinion, the lie itself is a bad enough offense to pass on her as a tenant. It makes you wonder what else has she lied about?

    1Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Kelly Bellini:

    I'm in the process of finding new tenants for one of our houses, and I've pretty much got it narrowed down to this single mom and her 3 kids.  But, there's just one thing bothering me, and I wanted to reach out to you guys to see if this is ACTUALLY a problem, and if I need to do anything about it.  When she came to see the house, she brought her "brother" with her, at least that's who they said he was.  He had a child, and she had her 3 children.  No problem at all.  I liked them all.  But then, I looked her up on Facebook, as I do with all potential applicants, and it actually said that she was "in a relationship" with him.  And he's not her brother.  I know this is her personal business, but I don't feel good about starting things off with what seems to be a lie.  Is there some reason to even lie about this, that I'm not thinking of?  I'm just confused, and I hate any red flags (obviously).  Should I ask her?  Or is that overstepping?  Was I even allowed to look on FB? Should I just let it go, and continue on with her credit/background check?  It seems that the only potential problem is if he moves in, and he's not on the lease, and I didn't credit check him.  But, why the lie???  Any thoughts you have are MUCH appreciated.  Thanks!!

     DO NOT RENT TO THIS CHICK! She is complete garbage. This is the oldest trick in the book. Boyfriend is either a felon or has an eviction on his record. Deny and move on.

    5Reply
  • Judy Parker
    Rental Property Investor · Closter, NJ · Member since 2015 · 884 posts · 722 votes
    5y

    Keep looking. Find a better qualified tenant (who doesn't lie). And you don't need the brother/boyfriend and his kid sneaking in the unit as unauthorized occupants. BTW, does she have a job? How is her income? Did you run her credit?

    0Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @James Wise:
    Originally posted by @Kelly Bellini:

    I'm in the process of finding new tenants for one of our houses, and I've pretty much got it narrowed down to this single mom and her 3 kids.  But, there's just one thing bothering me, and I wanted to reach out to you guys to see if this is ACTUALLY a problem, and if I need to do anything about it.  When she came to see the house, she brought her "brother" with her, at least that's who they said he was.  He had a child, and she had her 3 children.  No problem at all.  I liked them all.  But then, I looked her up on Facebook, as I do with all potential applicants, and it actually said that she was "in a relationship" with him.  And he's not her brother.  I know this is her personal business, but I don't feel good about starting things off with what seems to be a lie.  Is there some reason to even lie about this, that I'm not thinking of?  I'm just confused, and I hate any red flags (obviously).  Should I ask her?  Or is that overstepping?  Was I even allowed to look on FB? Should I just let it go, and continue on with her credit/background check?  It seems that the only potential problem is if he moves in, and he's not on the lease, and I didn't credit check him.  But, why the lie???  Any thoughts you have are MUCH appreciated.  Thanks!!

     DO NOT RENT TO THIS CHICK! She is complete garbage. This is the oldest trick in the book. Boyfriend is either a felon or has an eviction on his record. Deny and move on.

    NO kidding 25 responses but still trying to rationalize it because I dont want to miss one month of rent..     these people are professional liars full stop.

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  • Matthew Irish-JonesBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini yeah that’s a baby daddy. Everyone is real nice when they are looking for a unit. Wait until they are in there and rent is past due.

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  • Cristian Portillo
    Real Estate Investor · Columbus, GA · Member since 2017 · 24 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    I think it's a red flag. If she lies about that then who know what she'll lie about whenever she's living on your property. It's better to wait another week or two on getting another better potential tenant. On another note we should connect and talk real estate. I see that you are in area near where I invest. 

    0Reply
  • Curtis Mears
    Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 729 posts · 596 votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini

    Many reasons not to include him on the application, he has horrible credit, he has an eviction, he has a dui, he murdered someone. You need to find out why. Everything is done for a reason. When you find a string like this, it is in your best interest to pull it until the story unravels. It can be difficult for landlords to make these calls, but this is when it matters most. Personally, I would tell her I look at all social media when doing background checks, and you have some questions. Then I would lay out my information I found. You may feel uncomfortable doing this, but they will feel much more, and they should. They are possibly trying to hide something, not you. I would recommend being upfront.

    I have made mistakes like this in the past, like all landlords, and these are the tenants that bite me in the butt everytime.

    0Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    5y

    Knock on her door and tell her what you found on Facebook. You know from her that he's her brother and you know from Facebook that she's in a relationship with him. Georgia Code section 16-6-22, section (a)  states: Incest between siblings of the whole blood or the half blood is illegal in Georgia. The penalty is 10-30 years in the slam. You can't have felonies happening under your roof. Buh-bye.

    1Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Karl B.:

    Personally, if someone lies about something when they view a rental and I find out about it I won't rent to them as I don't like red flags. 

    Related to your story, I had a tenant whose baby daddy came out of prison and my tenant introduced him as her cousin. Yet as he was there smoking a cigarette on the front porch and I was doing work outside I repeatedly heard my tenant's kids call him 'daddy' and from then on when I referred to him I called him 'Uncle Daddy'. 

    I don't know why people lie about stupid things like this. I would much rather they be honest with me. 

    Nobody knows the duncles I've seen,
    Nobody knows but Jesus...

    1Reply
  • John MorganPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    I deal with this kind of thing all the time. My tenants will lie, lie and lie to me. It gets old. Ask her if her “brother” will be living there. If so, you’ll need to do a background check on him too. I always slip in that I’m friends with the neighbors next door and they keep a good watch out on my properties. Lol

    0Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Jim K.:
    Nobody knows the duncles I've seen,

    Nobody knows but Jesus...

    Uncle Daddy  = Duncle.  LOL  Funnier than Uncle Grampa on The Regular Show.

    It amazes me that these guys show up to view the units like they have a lot of choices or something. Now they've exposed themselves and screwed it up for her and the Nids. 

    The smart ones are the ones that let mom baffle you and just move in later.  Kelly, be smarter than the Duncle and deny for a different reason than this flaming drama waiting to happen if you mention it.

    2Reply
  • Marcel Morgan
    Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    never a good sign to start off with a lie.

    0Reply
  • James Hamling
    Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini take special notice of @James Wise response, print it out, tape it to your mirror to read when you brush your teeth, on your door so you see it every time just before you step out, over and over and over until you fully get it. It is the response of a Rhinoceros-Skinned REI Pro.

    Remember, there are ONLY 2 kinds of experienced landlords; Rhino-Skinned and Bankrupt. Choose wisely.  

    2Reply
  • Aline Sevigny
    Rental Property Investor · Hampton Roads, VA · Member since 2017 · 15 posts · 10 votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini I would ask her directly if you are serious about her... everyone above 18 yrs old should be on the lease and checked...

    He may not have good credit, could be a felon, maybe even have a rap sheet or been convicted for dealing drugs, assault with a weapon and so on... do you want someone like that living in your house?

    Or, in this case, if you don’t want a confrontation, go to your second choice!

    0Reply
  • Jaquetta T Ragland
    Real Estate Agent · Winston Salem, NC · Member since 2014 · 486 posts · 303 votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini wow I can’t believe someone would lie like that. That’s a character flaw and only God can change that (if the person allows him to). I would definitely move on...BIG red flag!

    0Reply
  • Clyde Lomas
    Member since 2021 · 1 post · 0 votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini some people don’t want you to know or be in there business but just Bc that’s her boyfriend/brother don’t mean he’s going to be living there. He might visit a few nights but hey she will/can have company (this my opinion). Just state the consequences on people living there that’s not on the lease and have it in the contract

    0Reply
  • Dillon Cook
    Realtor · Greater Tampa Bay · Member since 2014 · 219 posts · 130 votes
    5y

    @Kelly Bellini

    I would move on.

    More than likely he would be living there without credit or background checks pulled.

    It's not uncommon for our PMs to deal with this and there's always a reason. Usually a felony or poor credit prevents the person from getting approved on their own.

    1Reply
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