All Forum Posts by: Chris Svendsen

I am in a quandary with a perspective tenant.  For last month or so I have been showing the house to lots of people and have had a few applicants that just did not work out for whatever.  Been working on house for a year so need to get someone in it to turn the tide of money going out. Tonight had great perspective tenants show up. They plan on being in house at least 2 years, have great credit, good income, appear references will not be a problem, and all around good people.  When they asked if I allow pets I said yes as long not under the listings my agent has for vicious breeds.  Sure enough one dog is a German Shepard, which is the 3rd or 4th dog deemed by my agent as not being allowed at property.  

My problem is what to do.  Supposedly dog never done anything wrong towards anyone and have no reason to think it has.  I myself have had shepherds and rot's with never had any issue either.  Now stuck, have great perspective tenants with a dog insurance agent will not want.  Do I take them in and have sign something stating if anything negative ever happens they are responsible for any and all damages and myself, wife, and company have no responsibilities for the dogs behaviors?  Do I say sorry dog is not allowed in house due to insurance company rules?  Not sure what to do here. 

 If it was a service dog my understanding I would have to take it in anyway but then what would I do about insurance company.  Seems like stuck in a bad place on this one.  As I get closer to end of this month feel I may be sitting on house all winter. Already had to drop rent by $200 because all remaining house around me began dropping prices fast to try to get someone into them before winter.  Hate to carry this thing for another 3 or 4 months.

It does not give me access to the SSN just states that matches what is on file with the credit agency.  Will give more thought to getting their SSN just to be safe for future.  

I will give it some more thought. I was going to be acquiring copies of their government issued identification i.e. drivers license.  The thought of keeping someone Social Security number in my files whether electronic or paper and there is a breach in security worries me. I do not want to have any responsibility if something happened. 

@Teresa M. we are using transitions smartmove screening process that is a sponsor of bigger pockets.  Tenant does everything on there and pays fee directly to the site so I don't have to have their SSN and then get a report for credit, salary, and background.  First perspective tenant used it last night worked great.

Good idea-thanks will do.

Well we are at the tail end of the project.  Here are some pics of the final product. Kitchen has been a big hit with people viewing the home.  We are quite happy with the project just took to darn long.

I think the number one thing to do is have someone on site to meet the inspector is key.  I met the inspector for all inspections on current property, that way I know exactly what he is looking for when items need to be corrected, and being I did all the work it allows for quick answers of what something is.  Glad to hear you got through rough in inspection, final should be easy enough.  When that time comes make sure you are there and everything is tested before he shows up to make sure all is right then things should go smooth. 

okay this has been more difficult than I anticipated as was out all day.  Here is the application, at least photos of it. 

Now there a simple solution to problem.  Blame lack of brain function on long day of work. Will do shortly.

I am in the process of finding a tenant for our rental and made a basic rental application. Wanted to get your input on it and any recommendations or critiques welcomed.  Still have to add company info a logo but this is what I came up with so far.  

Well, learned I cannot post a file so just copied out the text headings for the fields the applicant fills out.  Just a simple form where they just type in information in text boxes, save and send back to me.  

Personal Info:
Applicant 1 Name
Current Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Applicant 2 Name
Current Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Number of occupants
Will you have pets
Number of pets
Type of pets
Do you smoke
Ideal move in date
Number of vehicles that will be parked at property
Have you ever been evicted
If yes when
Have you ever been convicted of a felony
Have you ever declared bankruptcy
Have you ever refused to pay rent
If yes, why 

Rental Reference
Current-Applicant 1
Name
Contact Number
Email Address
Previous-Applicant 1
Name
Contact Number
Email Address
Current-Applicant 2
Name
Contact Number
Email Address
Previous-Applicant 2
Name
Contact Number
Email Address
Current Employers
Applicant 1
Company name and manager
Contact Number
Email Address
Applicant 2
Company name and manager
Contact Number
Email Address
By typing name below applicants give ************consent to contact employers and
rental references to verify employment and rental history.
Applicant 1
Applicant 2