I have an applicant that has admitted to being a former drug addict, however, 3 years ago he found Jesus and now has been 'born again' or saved from his wicked past. In addition, he is now an associate pastor at his church but his full time job is working as a journeyman plumber. He seems very sincere in his faith in God now.

Would you D.Q. this applicant based on his past? Does past behavior have any bearing on the future?

what are the other screening items that you use and are they a pass? Do you see that 3 years ago he became more 'stable'?

Did he have any legal issues (criminal) due to the drug addiction or was it mostly just on "him"?

Jonny,

Roy, I wasn't thinking that you would necessarily "ask" (although usually they will tell you, but maybe not). I meant more on the background search and/or the credit report. That tells you quite a lot.

Their "story" either will "make sense" on those or not. Many people will say one thing but not even a little digging will uncover most of their lies (which, I'm sure you already know that). That's where I was going.

I too, am usually skeptical when people just "blurt" things out. But I'm also very upfront and tell them "tell me now (on the application, whatever you want to say) because if you don't and we find it... is usually a DQ". Why? Because if you don't tell me about it then I'm wondering if you are trying to get it past me to see if I can find out about it.

Not enough information provided.

1) What does his credit report from the past 3 years look like?

2) What does his former/current land lord from the past 3 years say about him?

3) Is he working for a large, established plumbing shop, or is he the one and only assistant in a two-man show?

4) What does his criminal record look like since he "found Jesus?" P.S. I'm on the opposite side of the faith coin...I believe Jesus finds us and saves us from the darkness as we blindly stumble around...but we'll leave that chat for another day. I know what you mean by the phrase.

So I would not automatically DQ; I would check against the written screening criteria I have. Gotta see the whole picture.

Automatic DQ because “Pastor” is one of the p’s I don’t rent to. I made that mistake in the past and he was by FAR the biggest PITA I’ve ever had.

Sid,

I guess I will have to play the devils advocate here to get you to understand the real issue here which is more psychological than anything else.

Just answering your questions:

Based only on that? NO, and usually.

I have personally seen true transformation in the way he describes. I have also seen fakes.

MikeA

My basic question is: do you allow a person's negative past affect your decision on whether or not to rent to this person in the present. There is a saying that 'history repeats itself'.

I typically look for about three years on the straight and narrow.

Five years if they have a non-violent felony and 10 years if it was a violent felony.

So why is the three period so hard? Do you really know when day one occurred? Humans are a work in progress so we are not always like a book with a clear new chapter. Sometimes those chapters blend together. So to get a more clear idea when the three years started, you need specific info and that isn't always readily available

I don't take people who right up front go on about what a great Christian they are. If they really are a good christian, they live the life and don't go around telling everyone.

The same as people who have to tell me how honest they are. Hang on to your wallet.

Allym,,

They are much less with a promo code. YEs, that is him. I have three of them. They have a fill in them that deadens sound right near the ear. I don't think he realizes that. The foam bits inside have very irregular surfaces, fractiles, and wow does that ever work.

The best carpenter I ever had work for me was a drug addict in his past. (Guess once an addict always an addict, so user might be a better term) Got hurt, got meds, got hooked, lost meds, started taking anything he could find.

Served time in jail, more than once. Been on the straight and narrow for five, actually six years now. He was partying with some people. One lady caught his eye. They did some stuff and the next month she found out she was pregnant.

That was his eye opening moment. Got himself into rehab, kept at it and still can't believe he lived thru it all.

Now would I have kept him on if he was still using, no way. Do I wish he was still working for me... for sure.

He didn't press his past on me. It came up one day while we were working. I had hired his boss who I have known for over 30 years. He worked for the other guy. By the time the job was done for his boss I kept him on for as long as I could. Still works for me if he gets slow or is waiting on materials.

If the person pushes the story about drugs or religion I would probably pass. If they are letting you know before you find out anyhow that is a different story.

Roy, I've been sober for 28 years. I would treat him like any other application, income qualify, job and past rental history. Once an addict always an addict. They can and do relapse.

He might be sober today but tomorrow is only a promise.

I would ask if he has a sponsor? how many meetings he attends a week? what's your drug of choice? ask his about the 12 steps? and what step he is on? Let him talk.

Also, who does he hang out with now? same friends it's only a matter of time till he gets thirsty or falls back on his choice of drug.

I have rented to one that worked out. I have seen several fall back to addiction.

You have class C rentals. How does he compare to your other tenants?

My #1 screening tool is stability. My #2 is, do they have something to lose?

Yes, you're taking a chance on him...but in class C units, you're ALWAYS taking a chance on someone.

Sex offender is one of the items on my Auto DQ list. So no, can't take him.

I hope he does have a faith in Jesus. I hope he's repented of his ways and will never do it again.

That said: I'm not going to risk the reputation of my business. Brad 20K has posted here multiple times why he won't take an SO. Same reasons apply for me.

But that being a DQ on my list and Brad's list isn't important. The important question is it a DQ on Roy's list? When you have a list, there are no decisions to make....nothing to post on Mr. LL. Just look at the list and follow it.

And miss out on a (invisible) round table discussion ?

All the while trying to get on the Top 10 discussions