Other than the obvious (can't afford, eviction history) are there any groups/career fields you won't rent to? And why?

I pretty much follow the money, but it's very unlikely I'll rent to a property manager again.

That said, I've rented a lot due to being military. So I do keep an open mind (otherwise I wouldn't rent to myself, haha).

People who show up in suits. People who are overly critical or picky during the showing, scrutinizing every little detail.

I like what NE said. I try to avoid boyfriend/girlfriend situations and won't do any roommates unless they're brothers. Married are more stable/responsible in my experience.

Young single mothers (under 24) come with all sorts of PITA things to deal with which I'm again reminding myself of why I went there again! I know better! Fortunately my two pains are spotlessly clean which helps me deal with the irritation they bring.

I've found the best tenants are always single men who can afford the rent on their own. And I love all my Brazilian tenants.

I don't favor any who come across as trying to show they know more than me.

NE, please elaborate on the aversion to well dressed applicants, I have found this to a very good indicator, although rare.

I and some landlord friends have had problems with those in the legal community. It's not that they know the laws and we don't follow them but that they like to play legalize games.

NE, yes, I too would like elaboration since when I'm not in military uniform I'm typically dressed in a suit or business attire for church/meetings/etc

Lawyers and paralegals

Strippers, uh, I mean exotic dancers. But they are declined for no proof of income.

Most self employed people. Unless they actually show income on their tax statements.

Anyone who wants to change everything before they move in: must have different color paint, light fixtures, appliances, etc.

People who want to be back yard mechanics.

All my suit folks have been nightmares. Look at my shiny clean surface and not any deeper.

Myself. Too many animals and my car looks like somebody is living in it.

Seriously though anybody who asks things like, "Can we do this or change that" or "Are you going to do x, y and z" before move in?"

WELL then NE of PA we can look at your units two ways. The prospects in suits are coming either to celebrate your unit (weddings) OR to pay their last respects to your unit because its a dead unit (funerals).

Folks who need me to "work with them" on the move-in monies. Or even mention it.

Folks who feel the need to educate me on how ignorant I am about not allowing pitbulls.

Folks who ask if I can rent the SFH with all utilities included for the same price of without utilities.

Folks who, during the screening phonecall, can't quite remember the first and last name of all the folks they propose to live there.

Folks from far, far away, who have no connections locally and will be "looking for work" when they arrive.

Will not rent to:

Lawyers or paralegals

Law students

Police or other law enforcement

Self employed, living on Social Security, or disability. They must have a garnishable employment.

First time renters.

Friends, family, people we work with such as contractors, and church family. " I'd rather be your friend then your landlord because sometimes I have to evict." Then give a big grin.

Staying strong with this list has saved us ENORMOUS headaches. Each time we have bent this rule we have been burned, then we look like the bad guy.

My pastor called looking to help someone with housing. The first thing out of my mouth was this policy and he replied "That's a great policy!" Then I explained I would be happy to help them with other local LLs.

BRAD

Lawyers

People who want to change the paint color, etc

Someone who races in the door and immediately says,

Brad---I probably missed this somewhere, but why do you not want to rent to police or law enforcement?

Just curious, cause I have long wished for a law enforcement officer to move into my neighborhood, most preferably really close to my personal residence so the trailer trash that lives next door to me would start minding their manners and maybe "act" like they are human beings.

Lori C [CO], police is only good when they pay rent. They can give you a ton of headache the day that you try to evict them. The band of brotherhood (other police) would help him to give unending nightmare. They're as bad as lawyers.

Why no preachers?

Because they think "Jesus paid it all"

haha

College boys, people to ask "can you work with me

on the deposit", anyone with pets, people who have

1.Folks who tell me they have the money in their pocket RIGHT now for the deposit and first months rent.

They are either being evicted or mom/grandma/the girlfriend is tired of them shacking up on the couch and has told them to get out NOW.

They usually screen themselves out when they find out (heaven forbid!) they not only have to fill out an application but need to provide the massive $15 for (gasp!) a credit check AND proof of income ("income? what's that?").

2. Extended families...and I do mean extended. I once set up an appointment for a family to view one of my larger (5 bedroom, 2 bathroom) houses; when they showed up it turned out to be three generations wanting to park themselves there. I lost track of who was what (?husband? ?fiancé? ?boyfriend/girlfriend?); in the middle of looking mom and one of the adult daughters got into an argument and the daughter stomped off and sat in the truck for 20 minutes stewing and blocking everyone in the driveway. What a waste of time that one was!

3. People who want to repaint the place when I'm standing there with a paint roller dripping in my hand....or do any major remodeling to my house. No way! Go buy your own.

4. Ministers, etc. Around here ones that get online degrees are a dime a dozen.

Lori C,

Police officers have a 70% divorce rate and a 15% suicide rate. It's because they are keyed up on high alert all day, dealing with scumbags all day, and feel they have extra power. Their criends will come to their aide, including judges.

To me it's also the same as not renting to friends. When I REALLY need a cop I don't want it to be the guy I just evicted. I need these guys and gals to be on MY side.

Another thought: they are trained to never back down and never admit a mistake. The police officer is always right, even when wrong.

--they mention that unspecified number of children from ex-baby mamma and ex-daddy will be visiting every weekend

--some unknown person will also be moving into the unit in a month, but they're out of the country right now, so I don't get meet them until they've moved in...no thanks. (Same applies with "mixed breed" dog that is currently staying with girlfriend in Miami)

--wild children running out of control around unit during showing, possibly breaking things

--anyone who wants to do arrangement where they get break in rent for doing work on property

--large, weird configurations of adults where some are related, so not

I agree with some of the things here and disagree and/or wonder about other things.

I really don't feel that we should just not rent to certain people, such as attorneys, police officers, etc. I think all people have their own specific rental history, employment record, etc and think we should go by that.

I will say that if red flags go up (and that happens quite often after 26 years in the LL business), I will find something to not have to rent to them. Also, as others have mentioned, those wanting to change things, complaining about things, wanting you to work with them on the deposit, etc will rule them out. Screaming unruly kids that refuse to listen to parents, a LOT of people coming to look at an apartment. People who have to have someone else call for them, to get information and/or fill out the application for them, etc. 90% of the time, my red flag gut is right and if I rent to him or had rented to them in the past, it would not have worked out. It really sends up a HUGE red flag when they have been working and living at home for MONTHS, and don't have a deposit saved up or pay any rent. They should have saved it up at the VERY LEAST,but usually in this case, they have been evicted from somewhere else already, etc.

Other big red flags to me is a prospective tenant asking if they need to complete an application or if I check references.Also if they just step inside and say they want it, don't have anything saved up to pay the security deposit at least, still living with parents for a long period of time and are old enough to have their own place. I can understand students living at home or a family for a month while starting a new job, selling their home, etc but long term spells trouble. Also telling me that have to move out by a certain date or need to get out or something that shouts EVICTION. Sometimes I get people looking for a place for them and their fiance (no one says boyfriend/girlfriend anymore)but claim they don't know their contact number or where they living now, etc. I also get this with "friends" who seem to know nothing about their so called friend. Good Grief.

I am lucky in that I can search my states public court access system BEFORE I set up a showing. At first contact, if they want a showing, I ask for the names of all adults and where they are living now and then search that site. I ask beforehand if all adults will pass a background check, and 95% say yes but most won't. I let them know AFTER I get the name and location information (to keep from getting fake info), that if prospective tenants pass the initial court check, I will show them the apartment and give an application if wanted. Most times I can save myself a ton of TIME by checking their names on that site and telling them via text or email, that they will not pass the background check so I will not set up a showing. I explain that it will not waste their time or mine, if I won't be able to rent to them anyway. Saves me a TON of time, checking fuller backgrounds, work history, etc, if they know that I know their history BEFORE I take time for a showing.

Here's my list..

1. Anyone who nitpicks things like chips in paint, blinds etc.

2. Anyone who wants to "negotiate".

3. Anyone who wants changes made.

4. Anyone who wants lease terms changed.

5. Anyone who compares with units next door or whatever saying "they have such and such deal". My answer is very simple. "Then, go rent from them" and the conversation ends.

6. People who argue with me and want to tell me how to run my property.

7. People who have an attitude of entitlement.

I even had one renter ask me if I'd pay for renter's insurance. I asked him if he comprehended the english language. He looked puzzled and said "yes?" I said "you are the renter. I am the landlord. Its RENTER's insurance, not LANDLORD's insurance. What about that was unclear to you?"

Love these.

Anyone who wants to do arrangement where they get break in rent for doing work on property.

I've had problems w/ young attorneys. Newly minted, wet behind the ears. Full of sh!t.

Had not thought of Police. I get that now.

They just step inside and just "LOVE" it. and "i want to move in right away."

People in the skin trade.

We get lots of folks who are in the movie biz. There seem to be the two kinds. When i tell them because there is not regular employment we need double deposit (Our deposits are well above the monthly rent anyway) The ones who's "Sure. I understand." are good. The ones who whine and wheedle are not.

First things first.

I never rent to anyone that is disagreeable of or argumentative at the showing.

Agreed on most

1) Cops

2) Lawyers / Politicians

3) Clergy

4) I actually LOVE roommates. I've had great success with them in my transitional hip neighborhoods. Often times, they play revolving roommates which I'll screen but it prevents vacancy.

5) Parents who's kids are in charge..

6) Complainers

7) Negotiators'

8) I LOVE out of staters. I'm in an "IT City" (Nashville) so we get tons of people who move for jobs and to build a better life. Plus, they might be used to higher priced cities (NYC, Boston, WDC, etc) so I can push rents.

9) Anyone not garnishable but usually I can't figure out a way to keep them out

My Ideal -

per state law, you should have a written criteria that you use, and the first one who qualifies gets the unit.

therefore, i grade on appearance:clean/neat

on time or if late, immediate apology and reason

looks of their car/if its a pos, they can't afford it;

if children come are they well behaved;

length of time at current job,

length of time in current field,

time at each previous resident

reference from employers, professions,the good are quick to

provide them;

a drive by of their home to see if its neat and clean...

sometimes i might use a "form" i forgot to have them

sign so i can actually go by and get to take a deep

whiff, and eyeball for animals

if dogs, i need to interview the dog for temperament (in

some instances i would like to evict the people and keep the dog....

I require them to call me when they are on their way to see unit

Debt to income

Credit, if they say... i was going through a divorce, if will check that our as well

evictions, no way

foreclosures... if they say they lost house due to injury, illness, i want proof of that.

by law, you should keep documents of those turned down and why; if you make exceptions to allow someone in, write it down. You don't know who will sue you for violating laws

I will not rent to people who have 4 kids and are living with their mother and "never rented before". Right......I think you just were evicted!! When you ask them a question the answer start with "actually". Translation: Don;t believe me. A big one is "My LL is a slam lord - I took him to court and won" (thank you for the information)

"We need more space"

"My landlord won't fix anything"

"I live in New Jersey and visited PA once and it's beautiful there and I want to live there."

"I'm his manager and he's a recording artist and I rent places for him"

"My fiancé and I live with his/her parents and we need to move".

"The swat team just smashed all the windows out of my current rental and arrested my husband and I need a place ASAP" (true caller)

"I have black mold in my current place"

"God bless you"

"It's for me and my partner and my friend and her boyfriend"

"I just want to live in that area for a change"

"I'm on parole and need a place before I can be released"

"My son's on parole and needs a place before he can be released."

"I'm looking for a place for my son because I want him out of my house!"

"I don't want to spend another winter here, the utilities are too high and there are mice"

"Did I mention my landlord doesn't fix anything?"

I've had all of these. That's all I can think

Of right now. Won't rent to any of them.

Bonnie OK and NE PA: Those are GREAT. Thanks

We missed a biggie!

Sex offenders. Everyone with the Internet loves to look up the sex offender list and see who's in your neighborhood. If they find one in your house the neighbors will make your life miserable.

Orit: big boy toys? Depends. Usually good. Could be the neatest, cleanest, taking care of his pride snd joy Harley. The in-home inspection will give you the answer you seek.

I've had someone tell me they needed me to hold the place because they had to wait until their current rent was due. Their plan to get into my place was to stiff their current landlord on the last month's rent to have the deposit to move. A common thing in my area.

MSG:

We recently rejected a stripper who was a little to eager to demonstrate.

Sweetie said no due to no verifiable income.

Answer to Kathy, CO:

Don't give them an answer at the showing. The wrong answer could get you in trouble & possibly cause an argument. Instead, take their applications & tell them you will need to check them. Don't promise to call them back. Wait for them to contact you, which they probably won't. More than likely their application won't check out. Then you can honestly tell them (if they call) that their application wasn't approved & why.

Everyone has lots of great suggestions and policies, obviously learned by experience. It's nice that we can share our experiences on this site & learn from each other.

Moral of the story: Check every potential tenant out thoroughly. If you can't, don't rent to them.