Hi,

I'm sure someone here asked this question before. If you have a couple prospect (boyfriend girlfriend level) apply for your rental, one has good credit (boyfriend has 670 something) while the other is not good (girlfriend has 560 something). Would you take them? The acceptable credit score in the area of my rental is 600.

BTW Both are in their early twenties but have known each other since grade school. Been in relationship for one year. First time living together. Frankly I don't like to rent to couples that never live together. The possibility of breaking up (and later deserting the apartment before the lease is up) is high.

Does he qualify on his own (without her income)? If he does then I might accept them, if not and she doesn't meet the standard then no.

I've done this in the distant past, but might not consider it today if I had better prospects. The few I took didn't stay the course.

I had the same issue. Girl 720+ Fico, guy less than 600. Together they made plenty. By themselves they would not be able to pay the entire rent. But they told me the truth before I took a credit processing fee. A few bucks in the bank for a rainy day.

Not me. I don’t do roommates unless one of them qualifies on their own. Once I switched to that rule when they broke up the qualified one stayed and continued to pay.

Thank you everyone for sharing your opinions/advice.

Pat [WA], very true.

plenty[MO], yes they both have a decent job. In fact, only one income is enough to rent this apartment

MikeA[TX], yes he qualifies by his own. I have the sentense below in my lease. Is that a "joinly and severely" clause?

If more than one party signs as Lessee hereunder, the covenants, conditions and agreements herein of the Lessee shall be the joint and several obligations of each such party.

Jim in OC[CA], ok

Dee Ann[WI], that's a nice one. I just added it after reading your comment :-)

Robert J[CA], So I guess you voted yes for this couple?

LisaFL[FL], agree I never allow roommates. They always split. Howver these two are couples which usually last longer than roommates.

We do LOTS of room mate rentals. Must have a severally and jointly responsible clause. (our rentals are in a college town- have one house with 5 unrelated tenants) Just lost an unmarried couple as renters- they bought a house together. Married does not mean they are more stable.

Whatever you do- don't deny on the basis of if they are married or not. Family status is protected-

Assuming the person with the good credit has a good qualifying income, I would make the lease out to them and then give the two of them a room mate agreement.