I'm trying the electronic communication and pre-screening that some of you here enjoy. I have a potential roomer who passed pre-screening questions by e-mail. I told him the next step is to submit an application through my website, then come view the property. I have it set up so all the information is completed except SS# and signature - which would be done at the showing (if he likes what he sees) along with collecting the processing fee. He says, "I'd like to look around before I submit an application. For now, that's the only info I want to give you. If i still have to fill out an application before I see the room, then it's a no go for me."

In the past, I would show a place and then give out a paper application. Wondering what might be the stumbling block here? Of course, he could be trying to hide something & waste my time. Maybe he thinks it's a waste of too much of his time?

So I'm wondering: Am I trying to do too much electronically in advance? Just not sure if I want to "stick to my procedure" (since I've not really vetted it) or show it to him - risking him thinking he can manipulate me/my rules.

I think all his info except SS is still too much info to require before even seeing the place. I wouldn't do it if I were him, that's for sure. I'm amazed people give me as much info as they do, though!

I ask for name, phone, email, where they work, how long they have worked there, how much they make, why they are moving and where are they moving from, also "Ever been asked to leave a rental?" and "Any criminal history? Tell us about it." Also, "What type of animals do you have?" and "Are they spayed or neutered?"

That's it. 99% screen out on income, another high percentage on non-neutered animals.

I have had push-back on even my questions - the person said, "I'm not giving you that info before I meet you."

I responded, "And I'm not meeting you before I have at least this basic info about you!"

If he passed the pre-screen, I would show him the place.

If I were a tenant, I wouldn't want to fill out anything beyond what I'm looking for in an apt, and my contact info. There's no way I'd give my work info, or where moving from, or any income info whatsoever. The last thing I would want is some overeager landlord calling my work or calling my current landlord, or poking around my finances. I wouldn't risk giving that info to someone especially before I saw the place or even knew I was interested.

From the tenant's point of view, there are a lot of internet scams out there. Tenants are often advised to not give information to anyone who doesn't have the keys to let them inside the apartment.

I agree with the applicant. I wold certainly NOT give anyone any of my info unless I had at least SEEN the unit and liked it. What if I don't like it? Then my info is out there to one MORE person that doesn't need to have it.

I show my units to ALL who come--before anything is done. I set up hours on a weekday, a week night, and a weekend. Anyone who inquires can come and see it at any of those walk-in periods. I have applications there that they can take with them or fill out immediately. I only have to work on the few actually turned in. I do a pre-screen on those and rate them best, next, etc. I call the best one and say if their credit check is good, I will offer them the unit. For the credit check I will need the fee. Then it is on them to render the fee. If not I go to the next on the list.

OK, thanks everybody! I'll try to call him tomorrow (kind of late now). I'll probably give him the option of either printing the app and bringing it along or submit it electronically (if he's still interested) afterwards.

The "trouble" is if he doesn't submit it until after, then we need to meet again to collect documents like pay stubs and processing fee, etc. So maybe I should just ask him (and anyone else) to print and bring it to the showing.

DJ,

Good residents are cautious.

I think the problem is you asking for money before he has even seen the place. I would not. Why would someone pay before seeing?

You can do a quick court search with his pre-app.

Apps: we don't bother with a short app. We require the full app before we give out a passcode or schedule a showing, only after some basic screening.

We bring in several hundred completed apps each year and people include their SS#. Maybe 1 or 2 a year who ask to hold their # until later.

Check your words and voice confidence. Are you sending signals which create a fear of providing #s?

Brad, you are a large business. People aren't as worried about their info in the hands of a business. If you are a private landlord, they are (if they are smart!)

Lynda, when I ask where they work, I'm not asking for their supervisor or telephone numbers, etc. I'm asking do they have a JOB? It's a big deal for me because so many people want to move to the beach and secure housing FIRST. Nope.

And when I ask where they live now, I'm not expecting street address (although I often get it!) I'm making sure they live here already - again, because I get people who are moving here from PA or something, and hope to get a job when they get here. And when I ask how long they have been there, it's because I want to know if they are seasonal or not.

I pre-screen on the phone before I agree to show the place. I'm normally asking about job, tenure, pay and whether they have a criminal background. Once I meet them and show them the room/apartment, if they're interested, I'll take an application. Those who aren't interested invariably take the app and say they'll bring it back. Those who are interested complete it on the spot and I grab photo's of ID's at that point. Sometimes I've had people give me all of their info on the phone and text their ID for me to do it in advance, but they're generally requesting that rather than me requiring it.

Suggestion: create excellent quality pictures and excellent quality videos and utilize them heavily. Make it easy for smart phone users to find out the answers to all their questions without speaking audibly.

The largest demographic group is now the millennials, the majority of whom lease their apartments, and pay before ever setting foot inside.

Brad: I don't ask for money before showing - I want them to bring it with them to the showing along with pay stubs, copy of ID, etc and I get their SS# and signature then.

Gkarl: I thought if you are on public assistance you can get a free phone - I've seen ads. Maybe they don't come with unlimited minutes?