Toni,

THIS is why I preach to never give your personal info. I even use a knickname when talking with prospects or residents.

No personal phone, no personal address.

The FHA (Federal Housing Authority) states they want the following occupants, per bedroom:

A No Bedroom exempt from standards

1 Bedroom + 2 people, plus 1 = total of 3

2 Bedroom 4 people, plus 1 = total of 5

3 Bedroom 6 people, plus 1 = total of 7

So here in Los Angeles, our water comes from all over. Being close to the Mexican Border, roaches and people south of our border multiple exponentially--something in the water?

When I rented a No Bedroom to the daughter of another tenant, a gifted 18 year old with a college scholarship, I did not know that withing 6 years, she would give birth to 5 children and then have the babies father move in and his uncle. There were 8 people in a NO Bedroom Apartment. The City said it was my responsibility and took me to court.

So in front of the Jury I gave some examples of things I could do:

1) Offer her a 1 bedroom apartment at a 50% discount from the market rent.

2) Offer her a 2 bedroom apartment also at a 50% discount.

3) Give her no good lazy baby daddy a job in construction at $20/an hour, with $5/hour going towards the rent.

4) Use my tree limb clipper and cut off his manhood since the new noting about birth control.

5) Provide them with the morning after pill.

6) Give them coupons for free abortions.

But they demanded a 3 bedroom for the same price they are paying for a no-bedroom, $375/ month--for a $1500 apartment.

Toni,

MY state and local health codes do not allow that extra 1 person.

You can limit occupants b the size of your bedrooms.

70sf for one person

120 for 2 persons.

You can also limit occupants by changing the lock on a bedroom door to a non-locking passage knob. It no longer qualifies as a bedroom. Adviertise it as 2 bed and a den.

Toni,

MY state and local health codes do not allow that extra 1 person.

You can limit occupants b the size of your bedrooms.

70sf for one person

120 for 2 persons.

You can also limit occupants by changing the lock on a bedroom door to a non-locking passage knob. It no longer qualifies as a bedroom. Adviertise it as 2 bed and a den.

The bigger / obvious problem I see is their dishonesty / deceit.

That is a DQ!

They didn't list everyone intending to live there.

When they slipped up and told you how many, they instantly "lost" a person to match the number you gave them.

Geez, how obvious can you be? They aren't even "good" liars. They got caught. They know it.

Yes, you certainly DO need to decline their application.

Use the standard format you use for everyone who does not qualify.

If you don't have a standard, create one now.

How about something like, "Your application cannot be approved at this time, for this property. Best wishes."

Of course, this needs to be written, not spoken verbally like on the phone & certainly NOTin person.

Toni,

You are giving out your personal info online here too on this forum.

You might want to review the way you are conducting business. If you are complaining that you are handing out your personal info, while you are handing out your personal info.

While you are at it, look at your screening and marketing process. You should be constantly marketing, even when you don't have anything open. Having a waiting list doesn't prevent these off season draughts, but they make them more manageable.