I had approved an application for a young lady that was going to be graduating college in a few months and had a job already lined up. Unfortunately her income wouldn't have been quite enough so the mother was going to sign the lease as well. Not a big deal, they're both garnishable and both have a 750+ fico. She does have a dog, but the house is animal friendly so no big deal.

I explain to them both the monthly fees, including the $35/month animal fee. They both agreed and didn't have any input whatsoever regarding the matter.

The following day, I send them a congratulatory email letting them know how to pay the holding fee. The mother pays it immediately and seconds later texts me "Her dog is an emotional support animal so can we get rid of the $35 animal fee? Also, can we move in on the 15th instead of the first?"

I let her know that the move in date specified on her application was the first of the month and there wasn't any mention anywhere of an esa. I let her know that she would need to fill out a new application with these additions/changes and provide the esa letter along with the application.

She submits the new application and lists the animal as an ESA and provides a three year old ESA letter. Along with that, now there's a new housing provider reference that was omitted on the original application.

I emailed her letting her know that the documentation provided didn't meet the minimum requirements that HUD has defined and that her request for reasonable accommodation was denied. I also let her know that the approved application was based on a move in date of April 1 and now that that date has changed and since references were omitted, we're withdrawing the offer.

The mother, to me, gave manipulative vibes. During our first contact, she lied and said the daughter was working but just didn't make enough. Then when I asked for proof, I saw the job offer that didn't start for a few more months and the mother tried to gaslight me by telling me that's exactly what she explained. The immediate attempt to sneak in an esa, change the lease terms, and potentially having a new reference to check was enough for me to rid myself of them before they had a chance to be a thorn in my side.

I refunded the holding fee but they begged and begged for the house. The husband then emailed me letting me know that he was the one that filled out the applications for both of them and please not to punish his daughter because he accidentally left off a reference initially. My response: If both applications were filled out by you and not the original applicants, they were falsified and we cannot accept them. Good luck with your search (while thinking to myself "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes").

There is something especially telling when the pet is transformed into an ESA after application is in. It doesn’t seem like the $35 is the issue, they want to make the LL lose.

Impossible to deal with liars. Avoid.

NO NO NO

this is just the beginning

Phew! That was close!

Yes,they need to find another place. Not mine, tho.

If they had only waited until they were in the place it would have been tougher on you.

Jason, thank you for sharing your experience on that, and in great detail and how you handled it. The way you handled that was perfect.

Also, am I correct in assuming that all the communication was done by email?

Nice job Jason.

I think you saved yourself about four bottles of aspirin and a bottle of tums.