How do you turn down an application from a whiny applicant that you know will make your life hell, but is good on paper? The rental is dated, but clean and operational in a very desirable area -priced accordingly. Got this applicant - not happy with the window treatments, the tub is old, can I paint, are you going to refinish the floors, are you going to upgrade the appliances, this house “needs a lot of love!” Essentially make it like the other houses in the area that cost double. It wore me out just listening to the complaints. Next day call and want the place. I just pulled the ad and said it was rented. Has anyone had a miserable applicant? What did you do? If you say “ I don’t think you will be happy here” you know the answer will be “Oh yes I will!” --107.4.x.xxx

Sometimes radio silence is the best reply. --50.219.xxx.xxx

--24.183.xxx.xxx

She'll be happier somewhere else. --50.82.xxx.xxx

I agree,applicant shows a lack of cooperation, i dont want to listen to it either --74.77.xx.xx

If you rent to someone like this YOUR LIFE WILL BE MISERABLE WITH THEIR COMPLAINTS. Tell them they won’t be happy here and wish them well. --207.224.xxx.xxx

"Based on you comments and requests you would not be happy if I rented my home to you" good bye. I have had this exact situation. I think my KAREN actually contracted HUD and she made my case. --169.150.xxx.xx

No need to explain. Just ghost 'em. --64.246.xxx.xx

Less is more. If you relist, just ghost her. I want to never have to work doesn't mean it will happen. We don't always get what we want. --73.230.xxx.xx

You will not be happy until the place is replaced, check back in 2030. --76.190.xxx.xxx

"is satisfied with the property in its current condition; does not request physical alterations beyond what the landlord has already done." --68.229.xxx.xxx

Some folks are trainable, others not. Can't always know until you get into it. --216.126.xx.xxx

There is a reality here where the applicant wanted a completely upgraded renovated house along with paying a lower reasonable rent. To completely upgrade a bathroom it would easily cost around $5,000 in materials for a porcelain floor, new bathtub, wall tiles, pressure balanced single handle faucet, new toilet without labour. In a rent controlled jurisdiction like in the province of Ontario nothiing is done to occupied rental units as once rental unit is vacant then go for the market will bear then re controlled again. With a 3 per cent cap on above rent guideline increases it would take up 5 applications where over time some would move out then can renovate the entire apartment building. One day a tenant buys their own house where reality kicks in. The cost of replacing a worn out furnace, roof, major structural repairs, waterproofing, flooring are really high without renovating a bathroom or kitchen. Appliances are also expensive. Many who buy a new house where less then ten years windows, roof, furnace will require replacement as builders only builders line which is the cheapest lowest quality out there. Putting on shingles is like renting a roof where metal more expensive outlasts many times over. I remember when went for above guideline rent increases under rent control where there was no cap then made major repairs on apartment where the previous owners were able to stop rent increase appeals. Where applied conditional order then the rent increase appeals were cancelled. After losing rent appeals on Janurary five rental units they moved out then with one ad rented all five rental units where never heard a complaint about rent. So in the end would the applicant want to pay a higher rent for a completely renovated house or rental unit. --68.69.xxx.xxx

(Oh, I wish I had the nerve to really say that! : ) --68.229.xxx.xxx

--24.101.xxx.xxx

I had one of those - she stood in the front hall of the house, telling me that "in it's present state, I would be embarrassed to have people visit me here!" My response, "Then this is not the place and I am not the landlord for you. Thank you for your interest." Then I showed her out and locked up. (Lots of sputtering, but nothing came of it.) --96.245.xx.xx

I also would have told her "no" outright or ignored, depending on the situation. I am direct and to the point most times ... I would never have removed the ad rather than tell her the truth. --98.237.xxx.xx

I rented to a couple who had just lived in a house. They wanted the small apartment I had available. Gees did they complain about everything and were really snotty too. Sometimes you have to think for them and I should have realized going from a house to a two br apartment was not going to be good. Finally they left. Had been living with her parents and they didn't want them anymore either. --71.188.xx.xxx

Once I had to say this isn't going to work out between us at a lease signing. Once I said this isn't the right place for you at a showing. --67.240.xx.xx

Another time I had applicants who really wanted our place. I did a thorough walk through of their current apartment, invited by them as they were so proud of it. A few things I wouldn't allow, but not a deal breaker. Before we signed a lease, they began to ask questions, and more questions, and more! They wore me down to the point I point blank, in person, went to their current rental, returned their application and denied further consideration. Oh! and they wondered why no one was returning their calls. Wonder what those first conversations were. --75.11.xx.xx

Guess which one got the room? --104.230.xxx.xxx

the application process is their audition. they never get better so thank the lord they revealed themselves and saved you the torment they surely would level after they got the keys and took possession. fewer words are better and i do like the ghosting idea. i have received few applications that were complete ands used the incompleteness as a reason to sstop processing them. as always, the best defense to such folks is the Month to Month rental agreement. they keep YOU in charge. they might gey over on you and get the keys but i have learned that few thibgs in a landlords life feel better than giving a PITA the door. i recently had a tenant call me an a-hole. i was delivering her first rent raise in several years. her remark was all i needed to step back and loudly advise her "YOU ARE OUTTA HERE" as i did the umpire at home plate action...it felt great. --75.80.xx.xx

the application process is their audition. they never get better so thank the lord they revealed themselves and saved you the torment they surely would level after they got the keys and took possession. fewer words are better and i do like the ghosting idea. i have received few applications that were complete ands used the incompleteness as a reason to sstop processing them. as always, the best defense to such folks is the Month to Month rental agreement. they keep YOU in charge. they might gey over on you and get the keys but i have learned that few thibgs in a landlords life feel better than giving a PITA the door. i recently had a tenant call me an a-hole. i was delivering her first rent raise in several years. her remark was all i needed to step back and loudly advise her "YOU ARE OUTTA HERE" as i did the umpire at home plate action...it felt great. --75.80.xx.xx

I agree, radio silence and once the place is rented, tell her, "sorry it's rented". --100.8.xxx.xxx

I agree, radio silence and once the place is rented, tell her, "sorry it's rented". --100.8.xxx.xxx

--76.138.xxx.xxx