I will be sailing into what are uncharted waters for myself soon.

I'm likely to have a garbage unit opening soon that I need to place a garbage tenant in. It is what it is. No improvements to the unit and no seeking a good tenant here.

This is charity, SSI, welfare, section 8 territory. When looking specifically low end tenants, what am I looking for?

Obviously I'm not checking credit. I've never had a tenant on SSI and I'm not certain how it works or they get paid or whatever.

Our main thing for that type of rental is employment. I want to know that they have a job, have had it for a while, and it doesn't seem likely to lose it soon. And, most importantly, that they desire to have a job.

For those, I talk more with the employer than average probably. I try to get more out of them -- like if they are happy with the person and see them as a "long term fit" and such. Do they do any seasonal "downsizing" or layoffs? That sort of thing.

Note that we stick to our "gross must be 2.5x rent" figure though -- even for people on SSI or Section8. I'll count that "income" towards the total, but they still have to reach 2.5x the rent. We've learned this repeated over the years -- don't allow less no matter how much you are tempted.

(Some people here will say that 2.5x is too low -- but those are people that haven't really had to deal with the rental you are referring to on a regular basis.)

- John...

Note that we still pull credit reports for everyone. We don't expect a great score, but it is still important to review their history. Especially because, in my state, it is sometimes difficult to find matching eviction records. So, the credit report pulling up those debts is important.

- John...

Since these types of income are not garnishable, keep on top of payments and don't let them get behind.

In these times, always have a witness when you interact with them. Record/video conversations in case you need to defend yourself against claims. Sorry it has to be this way but these are the times we live in now.

If it was me, I'd be looking at someone who's older, retired, fixed income, but in good health. A single is good; a couple is fine if they're stable. All their drama is behind them. They don't run around with five different love interests or stay up until dawn partying. They're not paying child support; all their children are grown. They're set in their ways, they already have all their stuff, and are content to just live their life.

In Texas, I can't garnish, period. However, the IRS can. So the one monkeywrench that I've run into with this sort of tenant is that they skipped paying taxes back in the day... and it finally catches up to them. But that's something that can happen to any class of tenant who chooses not to give Uncle Sam his due... :)

I would think the in home visit would be key.

1) Income that can be easily garnished. Not a McJob that they'll leave the day the deputy shows up to serve papers.

2) In-home visit at their current resident. Yes, garbage can get worse! (bed bugs, animal urine)

3) No violent felony convictions or evictions.

Do they currently have a needle sticking out of their arm?

"Single man, older, with a lower pay job."

NE[PA],

If you start out with A & do this long enough, you will still end up with D. Unless you have the superhuman skills of Superman or Wonderwoman. Or happen to be Almighty God and can be everywhere at once controlling everything.

My 2 cents.

There goes the neighborhood!!!

NE of PA, The Scamming Slumlord of Eastern Pennsylvania!!!

ABSOLUTELY run a credit check on the bottom of the barrel tenant. If not you are playing "Russian Roulette with tenants".

Make sure they income qualify and criminal and back ground checks.

Call previous landlord, not present landlord AND call the utility company: water and sewage of their last rental thats IF the unit has public water and sewage.

Do an in house check and IF the house looks like its from Deliverance. RUN-NE-RUN!!!

IF you get a "Section 8" potential, now the local section 8 office will inspect your "CLASSY DUMP" and want you to do a laundry list of repairs. Who knows the unit may pass.

If its a 3 bedroom you may end up with 12 people in the house. HMMM some HUD requirement of unlimited people per bedroom x how many bathrooms x how many beds can be added to the living room and dining room and basement and walk up attic PLUS some over bearing gov-ber-mint regulations.

If so charge $75 per person extra or just add a turnstile to the front door and charge by the day as people enter the house. That Revolving Door Rental...

NE of PA and his monthly wheel barrow full of money...

There goes the neighborhood!!!

NE of PA, The Scamming Slumlord of Eastern Pennsylvania!!!

ABSOLUTELY run a credit check on the bottom of the barrel tenant. If not you are playing "Russian Roulette with tenants".

Make sure they income qualify and criminal and back ground checks.

Call previous landlord, not present landlord AND call the utility company: water and sewage of their last rental thats IF the unit has public water and sewage.

Do an in house check and IF the house looks like its from Deliverance. RUN-NE-RUN!!!

IF you get a "Section 8" potential, now the local section 8 office will inspect your "CLASSY DUMP" and want you to do a laundry list of repairs. Who knows the unit may pass.

If its a 3 bedroom you may end up with 12 people in the house. HMMM some HUD requirement of unlimited people per bedroom x how many bathrooms x how many beds can be added to the living room and dining room and basement and walk up attic PLUS some over bearing gov-ber-mint regulations.

If so charge $75 per person extra or just add a turnstile to the front door and charge by the day as people enter the house. That Revolving Door Rental...

NE of PA and his monthly wheel barrow full of money...

NE of PA thats OK! There is still a need for rentals. PLUS tenant don't care of the condition of the unit, only that its safe!

That $500 investment has paid you back extremely well!!!

$500 house got sold, this one is different.

As a matter of fact, the $500 house was inhabitable and taken off the tax rolls as a result of my appeal and when I sold it, THE PEOPLE MOVED IN IT!!!

I check the public court records ... that tells me all I need to know. Understand that they ALL have a history of evictions and/or criminal cases... how many, how serious, and timing are your concerns.

If they get social security check, they need to pay the rent IN FULL the day their check comes. If not, file the next day as they don't have any way of paying the rent until the next check.

No need to worry about $$XX's the rent ... they will get heating, electric, snap, liheap, rent rebate, etc. assistance.

Understand that when these folks speak, they outright lie ... everything they say. The thing of it is, most of them don't even realize it ... it's how they get by (and I think in their minds rationalize a better life than they have).

One thing I did learn was, I need to take pride even in my humblest places. So I can be more flexible on some aspects-- smoking, pets, whatever-- but if relax too many standards because I'm trying to help someone-- W2 income, don't rent to people I hire-- it will end pretty miserably.