Screening this tenant-pass or consider

[Maya Jones]

I would love your help with this applicant. He comes with a story “lost job in January of 2025 and then got divorced” so his 2025 income is like 10k. 
2024 income from w2 is around 46k  
He lived with his parents last year and previous to that owned his home which he sold in 2025. So no rental history to vet him.

He is moving to Chicago from neighboring state, starting a new job in April, offer letter shows 80k salary. 
His last 60 days bank statement shows he has no income, only expenses, has a positive balance of 3k. Shows he has a saving perhaps because a transfer was made from it. 
He wants to move in April 5, applied in March 19 ( a bit late). 

He looks risky to me, what if he loses his new job? He has not worked for 1 year. He said he did cash deals in 2025 . 

Please let me know if you would consider or not. And if yes, would ask for what more information? 

Thanks for reading this far

[Jonathan Klemm]

@Maya Jones - Since you are asking about your particular situation...I would move on and find a tenant with less red flags.  

This particular tenant may actually end up working out totally fine, but now you've adjusted your requirements. Then the next time this happens you do it again and again until eventually it will bite you in the butt like it has for me.

In a big city like Chicago, there will always be tenants on the fence, but there are also thousands of more likely, more qualified tenants as well if you are patient and have the rental priced right.