Picking potential tenant

[Michael Leo]

Hello!

So I have this duplex that I am renting out. The tenants in one side are moving out by the end of June and I have been marketing the unit. I had a lot of interest and pretty quickly there are two that have applied.

Tenant A - It's kind of a strange situation because he actually moved into the other side of the duplex about 5 years ago, moved out about 2 years ago, and now just reached out to me when he saw I put the other side up for rent. Originally he was living with two other guys now is interested in this place for him and his girlfriend. He was a very good tenant while he was living there before and I know he is familiar with the property.

Tenant B - The other potential tenant is moving from out of state with his wife. Just graduated grad school and is taking a job in the area. Application looks great and reported income is higher. I sent them a video tour but they did not actually see the property and I have not met them.

The big difference is that Tenant A has said they want to move in August while Tenant B is looking at July 1st. Rent is $1,750 and it would be nice to not have the place vacant for a month.

Just wondering if anyone has an opinion on whether it is worth a little vacancy to go with the tenant that I have rented to in the past.

Thanks!

[Jose Clavijo]

As an investor, I always weigh tenant history, timing, and income stability. Tenant A brings familiarity and a solid track record, which definitely reduces some risk. However, when evaluating long-term performance, consistent and verifiable income is one of the most critical factors—regardless of past history.

Tenant B may be newer to you, but if their income is strong and their application checks out, that’s worth serious consideration—especially since they’re ready to move in right away and avoid a month of vacancy.

Ultimately, while it’s great to have someone you’ve worked with before, the best tenant is the one who brings reliable income, clear expectations, and aligns with your financial goals.