Hi All. We have a worrisome party who is insisting to see out SFH rental.

Background: initially responded to o0ur ad and never replied top the [new & improved thanks to ya'll] questions.

Now he replies via phone says he is moving in with 94 yr old Mom. states income of 2400. and then says that he not going to be smoking in the house.

We decline a viewing due to smoking and insufficient income;

Today we get the following:

" There is no problem with property being smoke free. My mom is more important to me. I am not going to be smoking. The house hold income between the 2 of us will be 5,000+ per month. Money for rent is not an issue. I can easily pay 6 months in advance if necessary. My mom is sell her home with an August 1 closing date. She will be receiving 350,000.00 for the sale so money is not a problem at all "

Did not write back this AM and received:

"I am wondering why you have not sent me a time for a viewing of the property at 264 Monmouth Rd. As I have mentioned the money for rent and insurance and utilities is not and should not be an issue. I did forget to mention thou that my job is secure. I am a union member and have them behind me if any problems. I will also be getting my yearly raise on July 1st. This is one of the union benefits. It is mandatory. I am not sure of the exact amount thou. Between mom and myself we are looking for a nice little home to rent to treat as our own, with TLC".

oh....and he is picking up Mom from rehab tomorrow

I just replied and re-stated insufficient income.

I am wondering your reactions

I'd still show them and let them leave with an app. (Because you have another appointment and can't wait for them to fill it out.)

Then IF they fill it out, have them mail it in cuz your too busy to pick it up. Hint hint.

Show them, then slow them down.

Sucks, but sometimes you have to play a little chess.

You've given your response. Block their phone and add their email to you Spam filter. Next applicant.

My response is normally the exact same as Sid's.

The only time I don't block it is when I feel like they could become an issue.

Thank you for your quick replies gentlemen.

In his replies I am channeling "DANGER Will Robinson" [the Robot from Lost in Space. In the reply there was that line about his union...

Still, depending on how it goes today I will very likely top be showing.

Go ahead and show them the house. They must individually qualify, not together. Absolutely NO WAY would I let him use her income to qualify.

Hand them the application. Tell them to return it with their application fee. EACH of them MUST fill out application and pay the application fee.

Make sure you use a solid application with lots of questions on it. Mine is 2 pages long.

Make sure it asks How many packs a day are smoked. Not a yes or no question. HOW MANY.

If even ONE blank is empty, the application goes into the pending file.

My decision is that I just don't accept smokers. I don't care if they smoke outside or not - they are not welcome at my property. I don't want the butts on the ground. They end up there. I also state no pipe smoking, no Hookah smoking, and no smoking of substances other than tobacco either, legal or not. NO SMOKING MEANS NO SMOKING.

Smokers are not a protected class - hence I don't rent to smokers.

I might add a new rule:

Listen to SID.

need some special stipulations:

"Your app did not meet the qualifications." A very wise LL taught me you never tell them why unless you run credit. They argue and insist and LIE if you do. They can re-read the qualifications if they want to know why.

To ALL: I thank you for your support.