Caleb Heimsoth , you just asked interesting questions that made me look at the tenant’s application and compare it to the public eviction records for him that I had not had the chance to do since getting the app yesterday. I discovered something interesting that certainly makes me wonder more whether MSHB did any DD before placing him. But to answer your questions in order:
The purchase price was $74,000 (rent $795.) (Note: I just checked Zillow to remind myself of the purchase price - the property is not listed for rent there, only on the MSHB/MSBR website that I know of.) (Note to self: Really? Still?! Time is money in this business. I know that they, allegedly, have a lot of “foot traffic” to their office, but... it’s my money.)
So, did they do a background check? The “discovery” I made after your question is the following:
The most recent prior address the tenant listed in his app with MSHB was the address where there is a public record of his eviction in 2009. He listed that address as his address for the previous 8 years (the MSHB app was filled out in October of 2016.) But, as I previously stated, public records show him getting evicted as “recently” as 2011 from a different property. He did not list that residence at all. He also left “Why are you leaving?” blank.
Additionally, he did not list any personal or credit references (or emergency contact, or additional occupants, including children - it’s a 3/2 - or vehicle information) in his MSHB application. And - as MSHB provided me what appears to be the whole onboarding package yesterday (except for the credit report - if any - but I don’t want it anyway,) the page titled “Rental Verification” (and is apparently for prior landlord to fill out during the verification process) is absolutely devoid of any information.
Therefore, I just don’t know how else to answer your question about whether they did a background check on this tenant, other than to say: Not likely - based on the “evidence” I have been given so far.
All I can say is that, just as you stated, some of the blanks in the app, and especially in combination, and especially in combination what what I can only imagine must have been on the credit report (I am speculating, but basing on personal experience,) should have raised a number of red flags.
I may or may not bring up these concerns to MSHB (probably will.) I hope that they read these posts, and can tell me that I just don’t have all the info. I’m really pulling for them - I kid a lot on this site, but not this time.
Also of note (and I don’t hold this against MSHB; although, given the number of times they must have had personal contact with the tenant in the last few months, they probably should have picked up on this:) The after-eviction walkthrough video that MSHB sent me caught a glimpse of a doghouse in the backyard - the tenant left a lot of piled up “personal property” outside, and the doghouse stuck out like a sore thumb, even as the camera panned very fast. No pets were allowed in the property.
At this very moment, I am dragging my feet on calling a prospective tenant for a property I self manage - I don’t think it’s going to be a nice conversation, based on the blanks in her app. I will try to be as forward as possible in my questions to save her the $39.99 on Cozy - and she knew my standards when applying. Sometimes the blanks can be innocent, but she also revealed other info of concern in the app. We’ll see. I won’t have anyone else to blame if this should turn out to be a bad tenant. I’ve come a long way in my “standards” since accepting this applicant’s sister in 2010 by allowing her to bring her own recent credit report to my rental open house to save her money. I did not know about Cozy, or this site, in those days.
This site is a nice relief, and from my 9-5, too.
