What are some Red Flag lines when you speak with a potential tenant?

Here are some of mine---

I have OCD so you know that I will keep the place clean

Need to keep a roof over my kids heads

You can trust tme. Im a great tenant.

Trying to get back on track. Been through some tough times.

Jesus wants me to have this house.

My old landlord is an ( deleted )

Just me, (long pauses ...........)

LOL! Good ones!

Also:

I'm calling for...(someone else)

I need to move ASAP - how about tomorrow or the next day?

Listing problems with the current residence, particularly mold.

(After a 20 minute call or showing) “OK…I need to be honest with you…(insert any craziness here)

-I’m on Sec8,

-MY 5 pit bulls are my babies

-My 28 yo son gets out of prison for murder next week so he will be moving in

-my 8 kids will only be here on weekends

BTW if your prospect is from Indiana or much of the Bible Belt or active in their church “God Bless” is a natural, normal way of saying thank you or goodbye. As common as “How ya doin” or “fagedaboudit” or “aloha”. Plus you would deny my app for being courteous!

My old (dog, cat) just sleeps all day.

My dog stays in his crate all day. Oh and I work three jobs.

"I'll get rid of (insert the name of the pet)

We/I only smoke outside.

#1 is I'M INTERESTED

I've got the rent and deposit right here in my pocket. No need to screen.

I'm moving because my landlord won't fix anything (which may be true but often is not).

I'm the best tenant you'll ever have ("run away!" "run away!")

Fun, creative thread! I always advertise "NO PETS, credit and background check". There are some repeats here but some are so popular I had to include them:

Trying to get my life together

Emergency move-in

Just need a chance

Just need someone to work with me

My dog's different

My cat's different

I have pet references

Oh - my credit's shot but I have a good cosigner so credit's not a problem

I'll be the one moving in but the lease will be in my brother's name

It's for my gas station employees

I don't know what's on my credit report

I don't have credit - I always pay cash

My credit's not good but I always pay my rent on time.

Why should my credit report matter if I always pay my rent?

My credit sucks but I'm a good person

(No lie) I don't have good credit but my brother in law has a checking account at the **** Bank

I can give you a deposit to hold it until February 1

It's for my son. Sometimes he stays with me, sometimes at a hotel

“I have 2 pit bulls. 6 months old. They’re potty trained and crate trained”. “They’re also training to be assistance animals and I have papers”. “Can I bring them with an extra deposit?”

"Would you be willing to keep the gas and electric bills in your name for a while. I will pay you directly"

"I will leave your place better than I get it."

"We're looking for somebody that can help us"

Back when I used to talk to applicants, I heard many of the above, and yes most became instant red flags. Ever since I let all calls to go to voicemail, I've found that is the perfect way to avoid wasting time. My message thanks them and says to go to our website to check on availability, information, see pictures, and fill out a tour request.

Most of the story-tellers won't bother, because they are lazy or they know someone who puts this much effort into pre-screening won't be interested in their shenanigans.

The few that do leave a message I never return the calls. Why? Because they already failed Step 1 of my screening: Refuses to follow directions / Cooperative.

I forget which Mr. LL conference I was at when Jeffrey told us about that criteria. It seems so simple, yet I constantly would bend over backwards any time someone did something that didn't follow my procedures.

I'd tell them to go to our website, but they'd leave a message. So I'd call them back because I didn't want to "miss out". Turns out 9 time out of 10 they were time wasters.

Nowadays, if I'm driving in the car I'll occasionally pick up just for old-times sake and have a little fun while I'm driving. If they get long-winded, I'll roll down the window so the road sounds go over my bluetooth speaker. Horn honks are also fun in the middle of a story about the ex-con boyfriend.

In keeping with the OP's request, from back in the day, my top three biggest INSTANT NO! phrases were these.

1) Can you work with me on the deposit?

2) Can we paint/make other major alterations? I'll need to see your contractor's license, workman's comp, liability insurance, plus we need $1000 extra deposit so we can change it back after you move out.

3) Can I move in today?

All of these show lack of stability/planning/satisfaction with the unit. I want cooperative people who are satisfied with what is being offered. If they aren't either of those things, no worries....next!

"I already have the paint to repaint the living room."

With my no dogs policy: "I will get rid of my 10 year old family pet" (to this one I really got mad).

"Is it OK if I run a pipe out the wall from the washer to the back yard to use the 'gray water' and save costs? It will only be a small hole"

"My family will only be visiting once a week for 'movie night' and stay over the weekend"

"I want to 'improve' the landscaping in the front"

"My boyfriend will only be here when he's in port"

"If you see my ex or his car, call me and the police immediately"

"I don't have the rent right now, but my boyfriend will maybe be here after work with half of it" (evicted this one after 4 months of no pay)

"I forgot rent was due today since it was a weekend."

On a viewing before renting: "Can my son (2 year old) use the toilet?" This is as he was already running for the bathroom which I had just sanitized!

"God bless you"

"My pittie is so sweet. He'll just kiss you to death."

"Can I put in a garden?

"Can I paint?

"Will you work on the deposit?

"How fast can I move in, I've got the money?"

"I have to get out of this hotel."

"I am calling for my daughter and her three children(giggles) because it's time she gets her sorry a$$ out of my house."

"We are staying with friends, our apartment had bedbugs and the landlord would not do anything."

So many here I have heard. Lana gets the prize! She obviously missed the one of the convicted sexual felon being paroled and not wanting to stay in a "bad neighborhood".

Fun topic! I'll add:

"I LOVE yard work!"

"I'm handy. Will you reduce the rent if I do the maintenance?"

my landlord won't fix anything.

Showing/interview is over that second. I start turning off lights and shoeing them tot he door.

Got one today thst fills the bill will never be forgotten: Hi I zm a socisl worket cslling for a clieny

I place women who sre Victims

of Violent crimes. Its for her and her EIGHT children. Its a 1150 sq ft, 3 BR.

No job temporary assistance and asked for lower deposit

How many bsby daddies do you think?

Another excuse: Gotta be honest…I spent time in prison but it was wrong…I

I love to garden. Even worse when "I love to garden" is followed by a question about being allowed to put in a veggie garden.

OK, here's the thing....

Let me tell you about my situation.

I love yard/garden work. Just so happens a former tenant made a nice garden area, and since they left not 1 person as planted anything in it

Had a prospect tell me their dog didn't poop, after reminding them it was a no pet rental

We only smoke outside

Had a prospect ask where they could grow pot

One asked if we could "raise the ceiling " cause they had 9 kids and need bunk beds that were 3 high to fit in the bedrooms

I'm currently looking for a job, but (insert program name) will pay my deposit and rent for 3 months

Can I pay the deposit in installments?

"I'll be honest with you ..."

"Looking for my daughter and her three kids, I will pay her deposits and the first three months' rent."

When I was a baby landlord, a tenant told me she was an OCD cleaning lady; the apartment was freshly painted and had new carpet. She ran her finger on top of the doorway trim and looked at the speck of dust, and frowned. I fell for it and was thrilled that her apartment would be immaculate. Her place was the dirtiest I have ever seen.

"I am a dancer, and I make all and a lot of money in cash, but I don't have the deposit, last month's rent, or the first month's rent. Can you work with me?"

I had a nice place, new flooring, painted, and in great condition. "Boy, this place can use some work. I will do all the work for free rent."

I have to get a place for my baby mama, and we plan to break the lease.

I have heard some of these.

I do have two.

A woman drove up in a brand-new Mercedes.

She was dressed up in a slinky dress and super high heels -- and over-perfumed.

She was renting alone, had cash for 6 months rent, and said all she needed was internet connection.

Another one was from an ex-co-worker who figured out I was the landlord and said if I rented to him, he would cut me in on his Marijuana growing business (before recreational marijuana was legal in CA).

God bless

I'm a Christian

I'm a pastor

I'm a minister

I'm a priest

We go to church all the time

I'm an attorney

I'm a paralegal

I work in a legal office

I have a situation

Do you have time to talk?

My grandaughter likes to stay with me at times (like, all the time)

I do rescue work for (dogs, cats, pigs, ferrets, etc)

I work for a pet rescue

Woman shows up with new mercedes, stripper heels, way too much perfume, no job and 6 months cash rent payment and "only need a fast, reliable internet connection"

I like to garden (pot grower)

Allym, you win! Wow.

Mike, Tim, and Ed,

"Please just hear me out..."

"Can I stencil the kitchen?"

"Can I get a roommate after I move in?