Tenant Screening single mother of 3

[Jerry L.]

No offense to you single mothers. I'm in the process of screening and one interested person is a single mom of 3, she's rented her current place for 5 years, has excellent credit, and no criminal history. At least she says that, I haven't ran a background check but I will when I'm done choosing the tenant pool. Her only source of income is from her ex-husband from a maintenance package (child support), and by working part time as a substitute teacher. 

This is my first time looking for tenants, for your experienced Landlords, would you consider her as a tenant if her background checks out or is that already a red flag knowing she doesn't work and mostly relies on child support? 

[Richard F.]

Quote from @Jerry L.:

No offense to you single mothers. I'm in the process of screening and one interested person is a single mom of 3, she's rented her current place for 5 years, has excellent credit, and no criminal history. At least she says that, I haven't ran a background check but I will when I'm done choosing the tenant pool. Her only source of income is from her ex-husband from a maintenance package (child support), and by working part time as a substitute teacher. 

This is my first time looking for tenants, for your experienced Landlords, would you consider her as a tenant if her background checks out or is that already a red flag knowing she doesn't work and mostly relies on child support? 

 Aloha,

Wow, so many issues with your statements...

From a Fair Housing standpoint, you should not be using language that pretty clearly indicates a bias. You simply have an adult applicant, with 3 additional minor occupants.

You are "choosing" the Tenant pool? You should process each application independently in the order received. They either meet your criteria and are approved, or they have issues and you deny. Then move on to the next application.

You literally "know" nothing about any applicant until you VERIFY the information provided on their application...mere words mean nothing. Often your due diligence in this process will turn up dramatically different info than the prospect provided. For example, if you were to investigate the party you mention, simply stating that they received child support is quite different than having a copy of a court order that awards those payments, PLUS evidence of those monthly payments such as a year's worth of bank statements showing the deposits to the applicants account. If your investigation reveals ACTUAL "excellent" credit, that is actually based on various accounts the individual opened/paid, that is one thing. A history based on joint accounts, much less meaningful.