--68.10.xxx.x

--50.4.xxx.x

I have yet to be contacted by anyone regarding fair housing and I've been extremely aggressive in screening people and have been verbally threaten with complaints and lawsuits --50.4.xxx.x

"This call may be recorded for quality assurance or training purposes." ;-) The Pros learned this by being sued into oblivion, so I suggest we borrow from their wisdom... Document x3. Follow clear practices and procedures. No off the cuff chit chat. That's the stuff law suits are made of. --173.20.xxx.xxx

I do let tenants talk. I say very little, but make notes. Initial contacts are by text. I make notes. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Others on this forum keep a database, and when a phone number comes up again, they have the information from the previous contact. I think that would be useful. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Those on the left think housing should be a right no matter if the right infringes on the safety, security of other tenants in the rental complex along with the rental housing provider. If the extreme left wing tenancy advocates think housing should be a right then why not have chairs move out of the houses they own then live in the housing authority rental units. Some of the government owned rental buildings have had many serious problems. Now getting to a right where a couple around 30 was holed in mothers basement where they refused a thorough credit on both applicants. Guess they are going to be holed in mothers basement for a very long time. It is a rental housing provider right to screen out criminal element along those who are involved in using illegal drugs where the majority tenants do not the criminal thugs visiting the rental complex. To be a tenant you have to obey the laws by not dealing with criminals, not disturbing the peace and enjoyment of other tenants, keeping the rental unit reasonably clean. If do not have a stable rental history. Many unpaid utility bills and other bills. A credit score of 700 or above then no problems. Had a tenant who was upset that I called the police when her boyfriend was beating her up where that he was arrested end of story as he could never return to the building. She found through one of officers. In the past situations like that can escalate where it ends up in murder. Violence has no place in the rental complex. All adults are required to completely fill out rental applications, provide three pieces of valid identification no exceptions. Everyone is treated the same no matter there source of income, ethnic background, sexual orientation. It is not a free for all like the tenancy advocates would like. --147.194.xxx.xx

Try to get better at getting them to decline you and you'll have less notes to keep. --50.32.xxx.xx

I keep that database of phone numbers. that way I can ignore those who contact me about another house . --50.4.xxx.x

I keep a spreadsheet with the names and a brief reason why I wrote them off, but it's more for my use since these people usually contact me again and I don't want to waste time dealing with them a second time. --72.188.xxx.xxx

Since I switched to google voice and forms things are easy. Incoming calls, vm, texts and completed forms (most don't fill one out). It might take longer to go back and forth by text, but I avoid their drama. By not filling out the form many self screen out. It helped me w/ a prospect in a wheelchair leaving rehab. Asked if they could put a ramp in, etc.. but never filled out a form and we had a month long interaction. --24.194.xx.xx

Sid - My M.O. is pretty much like yours. Do you keep all of those texts, emails & pre-screening forms? Or summary notes on their contents? --68.10.xxx.x

It's not the most "professional" system, but its stored on cloud, and the notes are linked directly to how they contacted me , and I can quickly search my email using their name or phone number or email to find if they previously contacted me. --144.250.xx.xx

All inquiries comes through our Preview Questions Form, which feeds into a spreadsheet. 99% of folks are screened out immediately by their self-declared income, and they receive an email to that effect. A few other reasons: violent criminal history, non-neutered animals, seasonal only: all these are documented in a few brief words. So far I haven't even met them yet. --50.82.xxx.xx

I show the house to anyone who wants to see it and anyone who wants to submit an application can submit an application. The trick is to get the no-hopers to screen themselves out and not submit an application without making them feel discriminated against. --98.146.xxx.xxx

On a separate sheet, I keep a list of appointments, name, time, and phone number. I note if they are late or smell like cigarettes, nothing else, on that sheet. --98.146.xxx.xxx

That happens a lot with cats. I don't take cats. Callers have cats and don't have pets when they submit an application. --98.146.xxx.xxx

I started keeping an appointment list too, especially for the open houses, because I would get random non pre-screened people who would show up and waste my time. --72.188.xxx.xxx

I also buy at the back to school sales. BUT, since this is your main income, and you will be growing your business much larger than mine, you may need to go electronic, or a hybrid of both. It is very handy for me to have that theme book in the landlord mobile, and when a neighbor stops by while I am rehabbing, inquiring about the unit, I can start THEIR pages right then and there. I am not speedy on electronics, and from my therapy days, much more comfortable with making quick, concise notes in a patient’s binder. --70.92.xxx.xxx

If indeed you are accused with possible fair housing discrimination, you may be investigated and YOU will need to prove that the specific circumstances pertaining to the investigation AND your normal procedures and policies demonstrate enough evidence that you treat everyone equally and correctly (from a fair housing perspective). --172.58.xxx.xxx

My documents showed I had two apartments in the same building, a single and a 1 bedroom unit. The one bedroom unit was $250 more. The application, ad's and flier showed the same amount was asked from everyone even the reporting party. Also the reporting party had application number 17. I rented to applicant #3. --47.156.xx.xx

I use Google voice, which translates to text and emails it to me...so I have records of all incoming. As far as outgoing, I do most of it via email with "cut and paste" answers that are common to most responses. I do keep a few handwritten notes, but I discard those after a few months. --99.92.xxx.xxx