State Specific Question About: CONNECTICUT (CT)

I'm a newbie and could really use a list of phone screening questions to help weed out the undesirables.

I have two units (3BR and 2BR) asking 975 and 925. Area is

not the greatest, but not the worst. Don't want to waste my time, don't want deadbeats, but don't want to get sued for discrimination, or anything else that I may say incorrectly.

Well, here's my starting scenario. Add on as things arise:

Hi, I'm X (full name), to whom am I speaking (brightly and cheerfully, then wait for a name!). If the person refuses to give a name, you got a problem right there.

Well, hello Fred, yes, I'd be happy to tell you all about the house. Give basic info here.

Then transition immediately into: So when are you planning to move, Fred?

(You want to hear 30 days out or so, not tomorrow, or six months from now. Normal people plan their lives.)

WHY are you moving? Are you moving for work? (Very important here. Looking for a problem tenant. If he says "The landlord won't fix anything", you probably have one. Just let the person talk. Closer to work is a good reason.

How many people will be living with you? (Here's where you get the undesirable, "Well, me, my friend Sam, maybe my last roommate Sid, his girlfriend, and his mother." You want normal people.)

What pets do you have?

Anyone who says "a dog" is hiding something, in my experience. Normal people say, "I have a seven pound poodle named Fluffy who is 8 years old." A puppy is an absolute no.

How many smokers will be in residence? (The only answer for me is NONE).

"I do credit, criminal history, landlord, and employment checks. Will there be any issues that arise with any of these areas?"

Let the person talk.

By now, you have gathered some good information. You can state that you do not take pets or smokers without issue. Some states do not allow you to discriminate on the basis of income (I need them to have JOBS), so check your state law.

If the person sounds good, make an appointment. If you know you don't want him, then make an appointment, and ask him to call one hour before the showing. He won't show anyway. I've found that the "vibe" flows both ways so the person already knows that he doesn't want you for a landlord because you will check things.

"We perform credit checks and criminal background checks, will that be a problem for you?"

Do you have written criteria for judging prospects so you can prove that all were treated equally and fairly?

Anyone know square footage requirements for more than one occupant in a bedroom? I have 3 BR unit and would love to limit it to 5, because the third BR is very small. I believe I read that one occupant has to have a min. of 70 sq ft, for more than two in a room, 50 sq ft /person (BOCCA). Am I correct?