Landlords - Do you come across a lot of weirdos?

Question

I'm a new landlord that posted a little while ago about weird prospective renters, and I was just wondering if I'm just having bad luck or if it's pretty common do have a lot of total freaks come around when you advertise a place for rent.

The place I have I just finished updating and is in a nice, quiet community. The rent is on the higher end. I put a sign in the yard and an ad online, and I just can't believe what weird experiences I've had so far. Many people disguised themselves as interested renters and scheduled showings - later I found out they were just nosy neighbors with no intention of moving from the neighbor next door and the other tenants in the building.

One neighbor approached the building while I was painting the exterior and started taking pictures like a papparazzo. When I turned to find someone taking pictures of me, I asked, 'what is going on?' and she said she lived a few houses down and wanted to know if she could go inside and take pictures, too' WHAT?

I've also gotten calls at 3 AM, calls from people that want to buy instead of rent (it's not for sale) calls from people who seem angry about the rent and insist I rent it to them for significantly less, or pay their utilities, or hold it for them until December.

I was a renter for many years before I ever was a property owner. I just can't believe some of the people I've dealt with since I started advertising this place.

Anyone else, or is it just me?

Answer 1

You should have a list of criteria that you screen all potentials for, so you don't get charged with discrimination.  It's not an easy market now, think of all the foreclosures and those people now trying to rent added to that the higher cost of everything.  I'm not surprised they are asking for lower rent, establish it's fair market value.  I would not pay utilities, who knows what you will be charged.  Try screening all calls through voice mail, people are nosy even neighbors, they just have to know, they are worried about resale, etc.  

Answer 2

I have been a landlord for many years and do find many weirdos. But not like you have.

I used to pay a lot of money to advertise in newspapers but found that Craigslist has brought me the most qualified tenants.

I do get strange requests about move in dates, pets, and people who want to haggle on rent. I try to be good about it, negotiate where I am willing to, but also use my gut feeling on tenants when I meet them in person. I also don't like no-shows. Even if they call later on to try to get me to show them the place again, I don't allow them to come again unless it is piggybacking on someone else who is also seeing the place (that way I don't have to take a trip out there to show the place again).

I also have mine just below or at market value... if it takes an extra month to rent at even $100 more per month... that is my time and only $1200 more per year, but if I would have rented it for $1100 and gotten a renter quickly, vs. $1200 and waiting a month, totally worth it to me.

Hope this helps a lot... We own 5 properties (my boyfriend and I) one is a condo, two are a duplex, and then 2 single family homes, that we rent out. It is very easy to find renters for the condo, as all utilities are included, and the duplex is not too hard to find good renters for either because of the lcoation and size of the bedrooms... but it is the single family homes that are a little harder.

Answer 3

Let me put it this way- I USED TO LIKE PEOPLE BEFORE I BECAME A LANDLORD-

Answer 4

I've been a landlord many years and seen plenty of oddities but I'll admit never to the degree that you have seen off just one place.  One note though, I usually rent mine slightly below the market rate (instead of above it where you seem to be) so they usually get rented pretty fast.  For me the big problem isn't weirdos looking at the place but just applicants with lousy credit and I've seen a fair amount of fraud from applicants too - lies on the application, even pretending to be someone else.  

Are you getting some serious inquiries along with all the weirdo's?? If not you may want to lower the rent just to get more interest among real prospects.

Answer 5

Renting a place and just had a pair.  Emailed from my Craigslist posting asking if I'd sell it.  Told them No, couldn't partition property.  Then wanted to give me 6 months rent in advance and reduce rent by $200.  Said reduce by $100, 6 months in advance and proof of income.  Wanted to see place at 8pm Friday night, said, No tenants in place and could see Sat at 11am.  No response.  Showed up at 2pm Sat, said they'd seen the place on their own, and. . . . . .

My hubby and I wouldn't rent to these people. . . .they don't feel any reasonable rules apply to them.

Usually only have problems with neighbors when doing an Open House.  Usually they won't go to extent of making an appointment.  I don't hold Open Houses, but set aside block of time and make appointments at 15 minute intervals.  When they call say I'm showing Tues and Wed nights and Sat afternoons, and cluster the appointments.  Half the people will be late, won't show, some will be early, etc, but it controls it somewhat.  People who make an appointment tend to be more serious than those who will appear at open house.

ADVICE:  Go with your gut in picking tenant AFTER making sure they can afford place (1/4 monthly income) and VERIFY employment & salary, and CHECK with current and/or prior LLs.  Rental market is pretty good now, much better than last couple of years--better quality tenants again.

Answer 6

I have worked in property management for a little over a year and can tell you will all confidence that I would never buy a residential property and manage it on my own. I'm now an expert at filling out eviction paperwork. LOL

Seriously, there are really nice people that you'll never hear from but there are a lot of people - and who knows why - who think that their problems should be visited on you. I cannot tell you how many people have called and said, "I'm sick of living with this problem that I've never called you before about but that you're supposed to somehow know I have even though you don't live here." The best thing to do is to not try to be friends with the people to whom you rent because it gets complicated and there are times when you have to put your foot down hard but go by your feelings and do the best background check you can. They choose their character refs but their financial history follows them everywhere. Good luck.