Oh, the drama. Screening applicants is as much an art as a science. I'm renting out a SFH and have four potential applicants:

1) Single mom, 12yo boy, 9 yo daughter. LPN who makes 3x rent and is due for a raise. Great reference from employer. BUT moving after 4 mos. b/c of "unfair treatment" from current LL and noisy downstairs neighbors. I spoke with her current LL who told me he was remodeling the duplex and she was upset that he didn't remodel hers first. He offered her $100 off the rent; she thinks he's discriminating against her. Prima donna?

2) Single mom, 4 kids. Good income. Paying off Ch. 13 debts, just got a good job after graduating from nursing school. Current LL badmouthed her, but she's been there for 7 years. No court records to substantiate LL's tale of hauling her to court for late rent. Moving to get closer to kid's schools. Willing to pay double deposit.

3) Single mom, one kid. Barely makes the 3x rent, but has been at the same job for 6 years. No credit cards, no debt. Part of income from autistic son's SSI. Current LL wrote a glowing reference for her. She's been there 5 years. Moving b/c LL wants to move her own daughter in.

4) Single mom who makes great money working 40 hrs/wk + 40 hrs/wk overtime. One preschooler with another one on the way. Rent would be 40% higher than she's currently making. Moving due to "maintenance issues."

If this were summer, I probably would keep looking, but since we've already seen the first snow flurries I need to fill it. Who would you choose?

#3. I might try and dig bit into when she became a single Mom...perhaps divorce # issues/debt? Home visit could help tell the tale.

#3-- I would offer her a rent discount program. Pay on or before the 1st and I'll give you $75 off rent. Rent is 850.00 pay me 775.00. You can carry it to the next month. So the discount is taken forward.

#3

I don't put a lot of weight on former LL report, which could be a way to get rid of the T.

I would pick the first one as she has older children and only two of them. I think there is more to the LL story though. I would get a pay stub. Not sure how much LPNs make these days. It's not a highly trained nursing job. I had a copy of a sample test and passed it after never having any training in being an LPN.

The other one with 4 kids and the LL said no pay would be a problem for me.

The one with the autistic son would concern me as who is watching him when she is working and what is his behavior like.

#3

And the winner is....

Not #1. Chip on her shoulder and ultra-sensitive to possible discrimination. My skin is a different color than my tenants, and I can't do anything about that. Upon further digging, I found she'd been in public housing for the four years prior and left with a $5000+ judgement to her name. Next!

Not #2. Current LL said her mom was living with her and was a hoarder. Prospect said mom only stayed for 4 months last year and was gone. The truth came out when I asked to schedule a home visit and the prospect declined.

Not #4. Rent for my property is just too much of a jump compared to what she's paying now. She also gave me only one emergency contact with no address, just a phone number. My denial of course has nothing to do with the fact that working 80 hrs/wk is just not going to be sustainable with two littles.

Robin,

Here's my reaction on #3 BEFORE I read your latest results:

1. I'm always VERY leery of glowing reports

2. "moving daughter in" is suspicious. Too convenient an excuse. We hear it often but the LL re-rents once my applicant is out. "Oh...um..gee...oh yeah...my daughter changed her mind."

Can she PROVE she has paid on time? Bank statements? copy of LL rent roll?

I do agree with your choice. Best of the 4.

And proud of you for getting the IN HOME done!

As a single Mother of two my decision making for picking #3 is for the following:

1. She has constant pay from 2 places her job AND the government (SSI for son)

2. She has lived in one location for over 3 years

3. She is moving because of something out of her control

4. Her son has special needs -- Autistic persons tend to need to be in stable environments i.e. the SAME PLACE!

5. Lastly, this single mom seems to understand and prioritize living within her means by not having any debt, etc.

** My only questions to her would be:

1. Who is your emergency contact for financial support if you lose your job?

2. What was yours and your son's favorite feature of the house you are currently in?

3. What was is one thing you need to make this space feel like home for you?

4. When can we schedule a home visit of your current residence?

I vote #3.