BRAD --73.103.xxx.xxx

BRAD --73.103.xxx.xxx

In Oregon, have to run 1 app at a time, return application fees for any that you have not run. We are open about our requirements and discourage applications that we know will be turned down. We charge $50. It really doesn't cover the time and expense. --76.138.xxx.xxx

--69.130.xxx.xxx

I concur with RB. I have zero interest in taking somebody’s money for the sake of taking it. It’s behavior like this that drives legislation against landlords. --172.56.xxx.xxx

That is difficult to do from experience as they want to know what the rent will be. Since you don't know what the completed project will look like exactly you can only go with what other units with the same paint, plumbing fixtures and flooring are fetching. I know I have cut myself short by doing this, but vacancies do get filled up quickly. I much rather have a place bringing in some cash than finding that unicorn that is awesome, long term, and trainable. I can always make up the difference on the back end. --24.101.xxx.xxx

I dont have a problem with charging everyone the app fee,the law says treat everyone the same so everyone gets to pay the app fee,most of them know they are not qualified.If i was a tenant i wouldnt apply if i saw a bunch of people lined up, i would assume my chances of getting the place are low due to the number of people applying. --74.77.xx.xx

I had this happen once years ago when the Market was different. My application fees were $10 to get the paper application. I copied them on a copy machine. It was like printing money. After a few open houses I made enough for the house payment then it just keep coming in. So did the applications, each one I reviewed carefully trying to qualify or disqualify. Can't really tell an applicant one way or the other until I see the on paper. $25 is the new $10 so they take a gamble as if they don't they surely won't stand a chance. After they house got rented it would seem like another business to keep a property just for this purpose. However I've made much more money with not using up my time and paper but qualifying and turning over the keys. --172.59.xxx.xxx

In my area this is becoming popular, a viewing fee - lots of people grumbling, I am selling off the bigger places first - fed up with city fees. --184.59.xxx.xx

--98.235.xxx.xxx

I collect all applications with fee’s, evaluate the first 5 and after selecting one return any applications with fees that I have not run credit reports. --146.70.xxx.x

My daughter lives in FL and I cannot BELIEVE how much she's paying all these people to put in apps when she's looking for a new place because she's trying to get a better job/location. It's crazy. Plus, so many people don't even respond. --69.201.xx.xxx

In all fairness, we do the same as Jim[CA]. --24.4.xx.xx

I wouldn't set this up where folks were completing apps on the spot as I'm paperless. Generally, I have very few showings due to pre-screening. If I were to do an open house, I'd have them text me their e-mail, pay me via cash or cash app and I'd e-mail them an application. That gives them a chance to think about it and makes it far more efficient for me if they choose to submit an app. I don't have to interpret bad handwriting and etc., run around with paper apps which can get wet, lost and etc.---all of which wastes time. --209.122.xx.xxx

My goal is to find qualified long term renters not short term $25 hits. Yes I charge an app fee but I'd rather get 2 or 3 qualified apps then a bunch of unqualified that I profit from. By accepting those app fees you legally must review and reject each and everyone in writing with legitimate reasons. Sounds like alot of extra work especially since this site charges that or more to run backgrounds. so I don't see where your profiting anyway unless your simply not doing backgrounds which opens you up to potential lawsuits. --24.115.xx.xxx

I'd rather pre-screen and only show when I know there's a chance instead of just being at a property for a few hours "hoping" people would show. That's not worth it for me. --69.201.xx.xxx

Better yet, do as GKARL does, rely on pre-screening and electronic apps. You ARE the reigning King of Lock-Box Showings, after all. --108.52.xxx.xxx

Not for me for many reasons. --173.28.xx.xxx

--172.59.xx.xxx

I see the things you mentioned, but how do you get that many people to show up at an open house, and not only that but then fill out an application? --76.129.xxx.xx

Unfortunately Susan, some people value money over all else-including morality. --73.147.xxx.xx

Susan, 73.103.xxx.xxx it's him. --69.130.xxx.xxx

Jonny and Wilma bring up a good point. If I had kids and they got treated this way, I would be knocking on some PM's doors. --76.129.xxx.xx

Matthew 7:12 --76.129.xxx.xx

Yes Susan, I have found myself scratching my head at a lot of Brad posts lately vs years ago. --24.152.xxx.xx

--76.129.xxx.xx

This is one of those post I will be up all night thinking about. It's usually Ray's post. --76.129.xxx.xx

I don't want to be bothered taking a full app from anyone until they've passed pre-screening and have seen the place. --172.56.xx.xxx

6 x 6, what junk fees are you referring to. My move-in costs are a standard security deposit plus rent, plus pet fees. My appliance fees are basically an insurance policy that the tenant can elect to have. They pay, I maintain them. They don’t pay, they maintain them. Being that it’s most of the time cost-effective to simply replace the appliance, you have to factor in that money somewhere. Any double security that I collect is a marginal tenant that isn’t perfect, but is workable. --174.240.xxx.xxx

Junk fee-See his post on “Rent lock fee”…the “fee he charges a tenant on a ONE YEAR LEASE to not raise the rent for one year. Junk fee --174.193.xx.xx

If it’s a lease, you can’t raise the rent anyways until the lease is up. --174.240.xxx.xxx

Almost like it’s an immoral bs charge, right? --174.193.xx.xx

If you didn’t see the post, this “rent lock fee” replaces the security deposit --174.193.xx.xx

NE, Jason named one of them. I have also seen around here were LL's charge some type of HVAC maintenance fee, but "they provide filters". They, being the LL. A bunch of junk like that. I appreciate the explanation you gave on your fees though. I do similar except I don't charge appliance fees, but I do not pay if the appliance breaks down. However, if the appliance breaks, due to no fault of the tenant, I would repair or replace it on my dime. --76.129.xxx.xx

Jason, I just went back and reread it. I posted about it when it first came and never followed up. To me it’s basically taking a security deposit and repackaging it and selling it in a different format, but doesn’t really change anything. The lease already locks the price. Is the tenant pool really that stupid? If they are in fact that stupid, then I would say that the majority of things that we worry about on here is not worth worrying about. Like violating the stupid ESA rules. If the tenants are so clueless, that they don’t know a lease locks in a price Beyond anything else, then anything goes for a landlord. I would not be interested in this angle, because the security deposit for me is leverage during the move out process. I don’t know how rebranding it works to a landlord’s benefit when it comes to move out time. --174.240.xxx.xxx

Also to add, most of my tenants thus far have been college students. --76.129.xxx.xx

For the record, I do charge anyone who applies an application fee. If I get to the point where someone qualifies, I will return those who came in after that. If I lived in a state that did not allow an application fee, I would absolutely rebrand it as something else. No way am I going through the process of filtering out 100 scumbags for every vacancy that I have on my dime. I don’t care what they say. --174.240.xxx.xxx

GKARL, I have personally met Brad and I like him. I am not intending any harm, but rather viewing things from other angles and giving it thought, just as Brad said he is giving it thought and wants input from all angles. And, even though I like some on here, I don't necessarily agree with some of the ideas. I take them in consideration a ponder them for a while. I'm sure others do the same. --76.129.xxx.xx

I also charge an application fee, but after they have viewed the house. NE, how do you get the money back to them without it costing you? --76.129.xxx.xx

Bookkeeper cuts checks and they go out in the mail. I take a minimum $ hit for their Sq App commission. --24.152.xxx.xx

Thank you, NE. --76.129.xxx.xx

--173.28.xx.xxx

I don't refund app fees but like .001% pay them without ending up a tenant, because by the time I give them the app link (and they pay the background check company) they are pretty much in unless something odd comes up there. If it does, that's their problem, the fee was paid and is non-refundable. --173.28.xx.xxx

I write a check or MO if I have several and run the first AND IT PASSES. If it doesn't, I move to the next one and run it. If I have several I look at several factors to know where to start. --73.230.xxx.xx

Now on the flip side of this I was selling a duplex to a guy where I played the bank. I got a down payment and charged him 10% interest on a 12 year note. He supplied his own insurance and paid the taxes. 6 years in he said take it back, I quit. Had him sign off on the entire deal. Two weeks later I had the one empty side filled for more per month and then maybe a week after that I sold the place to another investor for more than I did to the original guy. It will be paid in full on the 9th of May. --107.147.xx.xx

Of course when we sold the place 15 years or so later, we had fixed it up so much for sale I didn't want to leave. You can't win. --173.28.xx.xxx

I don't want to make money this way. Once it did happen like that. I want to rent the house. My application fee is $10 not $75 or more. That $10 gets you the application paper and gets you in line. If you pass that screening then we move on to the credit report. That cost they pay only when I'm offering them the property and I reject at the point if the credit report shows something they haven't disclosure. From reading the above post, the amount one chooses to collect up front and your process determines responsibility and response as to what happens next. Can't really tell anyone they can't apply, so if 300 people want the opportunity they have to follow the process including paying the fees. Can't control the market. Seems like a Brad was just sharing a networking person's experience and it makes him think. That's why I'm following. --172.59.xxx.xxx

Something that jumped out of the original post - taking cash (gasp!) at the open house. I collected rent in cash until very recently (except for one commercial tenant) so I have no problems with the cash concept. I've read repeatedly on here about no cash, getting mugged ... all kinds of what to me is paranoia and yet opening the door to the unknown masses all at one time knowing they are toting cash ... gasp !! --98.237.xxx.xx

--107.147.xx.xx

Nicole, I charge them for the paper. Pay $10 and get the paper application. Gets you the opportunity. Alot do not return the paper. No one complains, it's $10, they get something! --172.59.xxx.xx

BRAD --73.103.xxx.xxx

BRAD --73.103.xxx.xxx

Ideas from this group tells me, however, for my time, we are too accommodating. I need a life outside my chosen field. So BRAD, and others, keep your experiences and commentary coming. No matter what it be. I appreciate all; what I do or don't do after pondering feedback, it causes me to rethink in creative ways. We need to do that to survive. --75.11.xx.xx

Brad, no ill intent. If I do an open house I do try and get applicants so that I can rent the place. Sometimes people apply that shouldn't, and I have all the information out on the countertop. On the other hand, I don't do an open house just to make money on applications. That would be unethical. That is the way the original post sounded. Maybe we all read it wrong? --76.129.xxx.xx

I just have found a lot of your ideas lately,well, let's just say thought-provoking! --172.59.xx.xxx

Do you want a group of yes men and women or to be told straight? Words weren’t minced. --73.147.xxx.xx

And you were not crucified by any means. --69.130.xxx.xxx