I am so ignorant. --104.186.x.xxx

Her usual income must be “weekend warrior”. The National Guard/Reserve. And she has been called up to active duty. Which will end when COVID is eventually over. --71.168.xx.xx

At least you admit the oversight, and in general, it sounds like you're improving and expanding your business. That's awesome! Best of luck and please share what happens if you need help. --73.93.xx.xx

I asked higher the deposit to 2 month and they agreed. I hope both of them together can pay $800/month rent. --104.186.x.xxx

Live and learn, next time you will know to verify first. Hopefully it works out and it’s a lesson learned. As a side note, I never rent to law enforcement! --174.242.xx.xxx

--71.174.xxx.xx

Did you tell them they fibbed on their app and are now turning them down? I don't sign until I have money-whether it is a holding deposit or all funds. --73.230.xxx.xx

If she is Guard, there is no need to move in with family. Someone is lying to you and not a good start. Good for her service but if they did not produce the documents you requested by this point, everything going forward will be a stall, including your rent. For 2 working people, $800 is doable-the omissions are not. --73.230.xxx.xx

You haven't given them a key? don't give a key,tell them they lied and they have been rejected.Easier to deal with now than later --104.229.xxx.xxx

Thank gosh for LL's like this. It keeps our i.d.iot applicants down. --99.103.xxx.xxx

We've all done it, been deceived. If you can get out of it by returning their money and oa paperwork so be it. If it's too late and your moving forward. I would change terms to month to month and no grace period on rent due date. Upon the next face to face i would explain to them "this is an opportunity and do not disappoint me. My business is set up like clock work. If accounting doesn't received rent on or before the day rent is due notice is posted and the eviction process begins. Borrow from family if you must but paying rent is your first priority, understand?" They may step up, their military training may actually help you. Set the rules clearly goin in. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY.... --99.203.xx.xxx

They sent military and police IDs. I thought they are over qualified until I checked their credit. Her employer is not the Army, but it is something "Banadna". I checked online I do not know what it is. I assume it is restaurant. --104.186.x.xxx

If she is Guard, both might come up. But anyway and regardless, she lied. Guard is generally less than 300 for a weekend and the 2 weeks is a few hundred.. If she is "active", there would have been no reason for her not to show pay stubs. Her regular job has to keep it open for her. She lied and they did not produce documents. Call or email and decline due to inconsistencies and being unable to produce requested information. --73.230.xxx.xx

Thumbs up to Plenty’s advice. --70.92.xxx.xxx

I accept tenants with one eviction, and I have a conversation with them very similar to what Plenty said. It has gone very well so far. I am a small time landlord, with just a few rentals. But, I know larger landlords in my area who do the same thing, with very good success. --70.92.xxx.xxx

Yes, live and learn. I've certainly made my share of mistakes but try to minimize that going forward. The key is verifying everything and if it doesn't smell right, it's not right. Also, you can't be too desperate to rent in a hurry. Far better to slow down and accept a longer vacancy than have a bad tenant. I agree that with not taking any police or any one involved in law enforcement. One of the things I've learned here that's been extremely useful is setting up a prescreening process. If done correctly, it saves time and angst for tenants and landlords alike. --209.122.xx.xxx

TO GKARL, JKJ - Why not rent to law enforcement? --98.156.xxx.xxx

Marie,I don't rent to cops either,actually I don't rent to anyone who has the ability to figure out where I live so that includes dept of motor vehicle workers also but specifically with cops I don't want anybody who thinks they can tell me how it is going to be and they are trained to be in charge but not when it comes to my rentals so no cops --104.229.xxx.xxx

Sounds like you did your due diligence, and screened them out properly. Hardly ignorant at all! You saved yourself a future eviction. --71.184.xxx.xxx

Between the lines I read family is tossing them out... --76.188.xxx.xxx

Cj. Call or text them. Tell them their file/folder is not complete and that you need 2 months bank statements and pay stub by Monday to complete their move in packet. Have they moved in yet? --99.203.xx.xxx

Marie, as Ken said, I don’t want to rent to people that are use to having control over people. or can make my life hell. This includes prison guards, law enforcement, and lawyers, . MYOB, I was trying to say it nicely, but yeah I agree, I also agree with you that CJ most likely sent a signed lease. I say that because of their follow up posts. My impression is that CJ entered an agreement with this tenant, I could be wrong, but CJ said “they signed the lease by email” and “ I asked higher the deposit to 2 month and they agreed. I hope both of them together can pay $800/month rent.“ --174.242.xx.xx

You will only be ignorant if you let them move in. --104.230.xxx.xx

--104.186.x.xxx

4- Property managers --99.103.xxx.xxx

CJ, you haven’t responded to anyone’s question, have you already entered into a rental agreement with these individuals. --174.242.xx.xx

(Rhetorical, no need to answer.... just sensing chickens circling.....) --70.92.xxx.xxx

I know I have much to learn. I automatically believe army, police officer, retired couple all good tenants. --104.186.x.xxx

In some states occupation or source of income, or both are protected classes. --70.92.xxx.xxx

Cj ,I too am a country boy and a little Naive,but that girl I would say is a Con Artist with a Capital C and would give her back her money ,after you get your key back,but not before...................................charlie --32.214.xxx.xx

--73.120.xx.xxx

C J,I never rent to anyone until I’ve checked their Credit,at their expense,if their credit is anywhere shaky,I just say Goodbye,it was nice to have met you...............charlie --32.214.xxx.xx

I , unlike Ken from upstate New York don’t care who knows where I live,they’re all welcome to stop by for a big cup of coffee or even something stronger,it’s their call............charlie been renting to people of all Nationalities since 1957 the year after I immigrated here,couldn’t see paying a high rent just to live somewhere,don’t mind getting the high rent from other people though,just keep it coming. --32.214.xxx.xx

I thought the army job and income are stable. I was worried they are over qualified. Sometimes, I waite to make sure they definitly want the home. That is why I waited to do credit check. --104.186.x.xxx

CJ [MO] a quick Google search shows several LL groups in MO. Again I highly recommend that you look into them & join whichever one serves the area where your rentals are located. I realize that currently most LL groups are not having on site meetings but all of them offer some sort of zoom meetings as well as the ability to network with other members. Most LL groups also offer screening services, applications, leases, etc that are geared to your local & state laws & regulations. --71.174.xxx.xx

Busy, I was asking because people are offering advise based the assumption that these people either have, or have not signed a rental agreement. Therefore knowing definitively would help focus the advise in the proper direction. It’s good to climb down off a high horse and let the saddle cool off once in a while. --174.242.xxx.x

Oh, I was asking out of prurient interest, fo sho! Was going to go get the popcorn! --70.92.xxx.xxx

Busy,go easy on that popcorn stuff,it could get stuck in the wrong spot,....................................charlie --32.214.xxx.xx

I assume the readers on her that CJ is very qualified to run her business. And this is her support and she has local face to face support also. We all get overwhelmed from time to time and make mistakes. In this case i would just worry and loose sleep until they pay their next month's rent. Then worry less each coming month. Stay aware and ready to change course if the rent goes unpaid. Act quickly and swiftly. Dont delay. --99.203.xx.xxx

Indeed, Charlie. And, to JKJ’s point, I have been riding Tall above my pay grade lately. Time to go back to the Welsh Connemara’s! --70.92.xxx.xxx

not paying a landlord now? still broke? denied --66.27.xxx.xxx

Busy,I come from Northern Ireland,aThey probably would’nt take me in Coonemara,although I’ve spent a weekend there,They seem friendly enough.People seem to be people,all similar.....,no matter what Nationality, worked on a Hydro Dam in Scotland for a period of time with people from the Continent French German.ItalianPolish and Danish,2000 day shift and 2000 night shift just all different L,anguages Didn’t seem to matter much,everyone ate the same type of foodDoesn’t mean they liked it,But something’s better than the starvation Diet............................,,,,,,..charlie --32.214.xxx.xx