My husband and I have 2 condo rentals in FL available now; one tenant was just evicted (that story will be in another thread), and one bought a house. So I'm having twice the fun with potential tenants, especially in this market. In 1 week, I've had over 500 responses. The rental requirements are clearly listed on all the sites I've posted them on.
They're listed right at the top. No one reads. Of the 500+ responses, only 6 people have been qualified to see the condos, since I pre-screen. Thankfully, most applicants self-eliminate immediately.
Some gems:
Applicant: Yes, I meet the requirements
Me: What is your credit score?
Applicant: Why do you need to know all this?! I don't give no information to no condo association, you realtors is all RUDE AF!! (I'm not a realtor, but whatever)
Next Applicant
Me: Have you read and met all the requirements in the listing?
Applicant: Yes
Me: Is your credit score a minimum of 650?
Applicant: No
Me: Ok, then you didn't read the requirements
Applicant: Not really
NEXT!
Next Applicant: Yes, I meet the requirements
Me: What is your gross monthly income? (the rent is $1650)
Applicant: I make $12 an hour and I work 40 hours a week
Me: So what is your gross monthly income? (I already know, but she isn't sure, so I tell her what it is)
Applicant: Yes, right (she has 2 kids)
Me: That leaves you with less than $300 a month for all other expenses, like utilities, food, gas, renter's insurance, phone, car repairs, medication, etc.
Applicant: Yes
NEXT!
Applicant: Yes, I meet all the requirements
Me: Do you have a verifiable rental history?
Applicant: Yes, I live with my mom (or grandmother, cousin, friend)
NEXT
Applicant: Yes, I meet the requirements
Me: Do you have any evictions, judgments or criminal activity?
Applicant: Yes, but it wasn't my fault. The landlord didn't fix anything, and I made some mistakes when I was younger, but now I have kids and we need a place ASAP.
Me: So you don't meet the requirements?
Applicant: Yes I do
NEXT!
Applicant: Yes, I meet the requirements. I live in (name any other state besides FL, where the rental is), and I plan to get a job as soon as I have a place in Florida.
Me: So you don't have verifiable income?
Applicant: Not yet, but I will.
Me: Any verifiable rental history?
Applicant: After 2 divorces, I now live with my boyfriend but I don't trust him and I need to feel safe with my kids. My ex husbands owned our homes before, and I really want to have my own place. My boyfriend will tell you I live here, but I don't want him to know I'm leaving. He's not abusive, but...(and continues to talk)
Me: I'm sorry, good luck with your search.
NEXT!
Applicant: No, we didn't read the requirements
Me: What are your credit scores?
Applicant: I really don't know
Me: Do you have a rental history?
Applicant; Yes, we've been in this apartment for a year, the landlord is raising the rent to $1500, so we have to move.
Me: You understand this condo is $1650 a month plus utilities?
Applicant: Yes, but we make a combined income of $3000 a month....I think. I'm a server and he's a car salesman, so I'm not sure exactly what we make, it's different every month.
NEXT!
Applicant: Yes, I read the requirements, but your security deposit is so high, is that negotiable?
Me: No
Applicant: But in Illinois, our security deposit was only $400!
Me: Do you live in FL now?
Applicant: No, we'll be moving soon and getting jobs there.
Me: You might want to reconsider Illinois
NEXT!
Applicant: I meet all the requirements but the credit, I have a 630 right now, it went down due to Covid
Me: 650 is a listed requirement
NEXT!
Applicant: Yes I do meet all requirements. However I have no previous residential rental history. Is that an issue?
Me: Yes, that's a listed requirement
NEXT!
Applicant: I meet all the requirements. Is it OK to smoke medicinal marijuana outside the unit? (there is no smoking inside)
Me: That would be frowned upon by the neighbors and the association
Applicant: No problem, I can smoke in my car. And I had a few issues with the law, but that was years ago. My credit's not great, but I'll have a roommate to help with the rent. No, I don't know his credit score or how much he makes, I'll find out.
NEXT!
Applicant: Yes, we meet all requirements with excellent credit scores, but I don't give out any more information without seeing the place.
Me: That's not how it works
Applicant: Why can't you show it to me??
NEXT!
That would drive me insane
We don’t speak to anyone until they fill out the application as well as pay for a background check through a third party
Which they receive a link to in a text message
IF they qualify we text them the date and time to see the property. Everyone gets the same appointment date and time
First one with the cash gets the keys
