Do yourself a favor and don't stop at the credit check: also run a criminal check and a L/T litigation check. I once almost rented to a guy who had pay stubs, recommendations, and the best credit history of all the applicants. The criminal check revealed that the reason his credit was so good was that he hadn't had an opportunity to bounce a check for a long, long time; three months earlier he'd finished doing ten years for bank robbery. A L/T check can also alert you to situations in which a landlord may be giving you a bogus recommendation to unload an undesirable tenant. Just go to L/T court and search by name of the applicant. If they've litigated with prior landlords, it'll show up. Very much worth the time and effort.

Posted by: Despina at September 14, 2009 11:39 AM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

If everything checks out for all three applicants I'll say first come first serve. That's what I do.

Posted by: nako at September 14, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

wait, so people with good credit are high maintenece but they pay the rent right? Would you prefer to have tenants that are "wonderful", never complain, but don't pay the rent? I would rather have the rent paid then chase after tenants any day of the week, even if they insist on changing the light bulb for them.

Posted by: IrieMan at September 14, 2009 12:09 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

i wasnt saying that at all. i was just saying that people with good or bad credit both pay their rent. 99 percent of people always pay their rent, it's the first thing they pay. whether they have good or bad credit. the problem tho is that people with stellar credit have a tendency to complain a lot and youll wind up with a high maintenance person living in your building.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at September 14, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

"99 percent of people always pay their rent, it's the first thing they pay."

I'm pretty sure my sister and brother-in-law buy cigarettes before paying the rent.

Posted by: northsloperenter at September 14, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

Rob -99 percent of people always pay their rent, it's the first thing they pay."

You dont know what you are talking about!

99% of people pay the bill that will have the worst consequence for not paying....which is often the latest one, or the one where they'll cut you off (cell phone for example)....

Since in NYC it takes months to years and considerable expense to evict someone for non-payment - anyone who is not intimidated by late due notices (ie people who have received them before) will quickly realize that the rent check is the last one they need to write -

Posted by: fsrg at September 14, 2009 12:58 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

Rob, where did you get that ridiculous number? so all those people tied up in landlord/tenant court for NOT paying rent only make up 1%? come on!! Half of my tenants don't pay in the 1st, they pay later. I'm sure they but their smokes first as well.

Posted by: IrieMan at September 14, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

Make sure both are employed and check with their listed employers directly. At least if one of them loses his/her job, there is something to fall back on!
K

Posted by: HurricaneKate at September 14, 2009 2:56 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

"go with the ugliest tenant. hot people are high maintenance. im being serious btw."

Obviously that's how Rob got his apt, the LL also took his advice about going with the tenant with the worst credit report.

Mopar, lol.

Posted by: denton at September 14, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

yeah, and if they're short they probably have a Napoleon complex so make sure they're tall as well!! HA!

Posted by: IrieMan at September 14, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

Lucky you to have three good tenants. Don't think about this until you get all the recommendations and checks. You'll know.

Posted by: donatella at September 14, 2009 7:19 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?