Do lifelong friends count

We currently have a desirable 4 bedroom home for rent. Several potential residents have applied for this home. One of them is lifelong friends with a woman who has a reputation for being an undesirable tenant who really wrecks a house. This unsolisitated information was told to me by a trusted former resident who said that Ms. Undesirable has been telling people that she is renting this particular home. She saw the house and took an application. She has not communicated with me since.

Question--Should I eliminate the potential renter since she is besties with Ms, Undesirable? I keep thinking that "birds of a feather flock together".

--24.233.xxx.xx

Do lifelong friends count (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 7:24 AM
Message:

No. I’d hate to be judged by the actions of friends I have. Screen just like you would any other tenant, and you should catch any issues. --99.92.xxx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 7:43 AM
Message:

I would eliminate someone based on them being friends with a known dirtbag and troublemaker --72.231.xxx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by Sisco [MO]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 7:55 AM
Message:

In home inspection of her current residence is the most effective method to screen for house beaters. --67.43.xxx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 8:14 AM
Message:

You are judged by the company you keep, whether you think it is fair or not. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 8:40 AM
Message:

A friend took the application but undesirable is telling people it is for her? Not sure if I got that right. The only thing I can say is that the last person I helped decide to move on did have some bad habits but the undesirable friends were the final push which led to a lawsuit and security cameras. Undesirable friends are hard to screen for but cause lots of headaches. --73.17.xx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 8:44 AM
Message:

The application will not be returned and if it is it will be incomplete. They were just bragging to their friend that they were worthy and smarter than you. Let it go. Get the house reared to another. Keep showing it. --99.203.xx.xx

Do lifelong friends count (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 9:14 AM
Message:

I am not a fan to renting to anyone who hasn't actually seen the house/apartment first hand. --24.101.xxx.xx

Do lifelong friends count (by Allym [NJ]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 10:00 AM
Message:

Just make sure you are not hurting someone due to bad information from a gossipy, vengeful person sort of like the politicians lying to make people not vote. Very destructive when someone does that. I would take the application and do the home inspection in case the reliable information is a "hit" on someone. Someone told a lie about me once to the whole neighborhood. It was very uncomfortable because I knew it had been said and I didn't know how to bring it up in conversation to say it was not true. Neighbor's husband made a pass and I turned it down but he told his wife that I did and she went and told all the neighbors that I was after her husband and that they should watch out for their husbands. Not my type at all. --71.104.xx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 10:02 AM
Message:

I am a little confused by what you are saying.

Is this undesirable tenant currently one of yours?

Ultimately, I agree with Hoosier and Sisco.

If she hasn't communicated with you since, then I wouldn't worry about it. If she does turn in the application then take her application fee and screen as normal. Or, I should say, screen very well. No one should just go by hearsay as you could end up misjudging someone but use it as a guide to be cautious or more careful in your screening. --73.120.xx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by J [FL]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 10:35 AM
Message:

I'm with AllyM...who is this other tenant who is gossiping to you and seems to know everyone else's business, and what is her motive?

--72.188.xxx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 11:28 AM
Message:

Undesirable friends is a negative. Bragging that she has the house before she has even applied is a negative.

It might be true and it might be gossip.

Screen extra carefully. Verify everything independently of what the applicant tells you. This is one where you really need to do a home inspection.

I'd be extremely cautious, but I do try to be fair in my dealings with my tenants and applicants. I verify everything, even the rumors.

At this point you can reject for "bad reference", but myself, I would give the applicant the courtesy of doing at least a start on the screening... if she even applies. --76.178.xx.xx

Do lifelong friends count (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 11:29 AM
Message:

By the way, the applicant will most likely readily admit that she is lifelong friends with your undesirable tenant. So if she applies, ask her. --76.178.xx.xx

Do lifelong friends count (by Scott [IN]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 11:38 AM
Message:

I think Ms. Undesirable is telling the truth. She is planning to move into your house with her bestie. --107.141.xx.xxx

Do lifelong friends count (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2020 12:33 PM
Message:

Why not get rid of both? --76.188.xxx.xxx

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Do lifelong friends count

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