I received a text from Mr. Casanova today wanting me to "approve" another roommate he has selected--he must feel that he needs another roomie (total of 3 occupants) to make rent which is not what his and his other roomie's financials stated before they moved in. They should be able to afford the rent between the TWO of them only.

Which surprised me because I am not renewing his M2M since he has and his authorized roomie have been late with the rent twice in less than 6 months. I thought I would have fun with this so I had his "prospect" text me as I had a few moments to spare. He has received certified mail and regular mail notice.

"Prospect" filled out my prequal. Guy works nights and has TWO KIDS that he has 4 nights a week. He's currently "living in a hotel" b/c his current LL defaulted and gave him notice (his story)

I looked up this guy's place that supposedly is in foreclosure and turns out it was purchased for an average to high average amount last September. I told this guy that it is odd that it is in foreclosure since you normally have to stop making payments for a yr for the bank to do anything. Looks like an out of state LL that fled NYS at some point.

Me thinks he was told this story just to get him out and that it's not really in foreclosure. This could be the guy I saw walking into their unit with a key the other day in the late morning when I had routine pest control out. No signs of kids staying there though.

I told this guy that Mr. Casanova is actually on his way out as I am not renewing their M2M. He wanted to know more details but since he is a "friend' of the current tenant, I said that their lease will expire on 4/30/24 and that's it. I told him that it is against housing code to have 2 children in a "roommate situation" sharing a bdrm with their parent.

He said he understood. Mr. Casanova and his authorized roomie will be getting another "reminder" that they need to be out by 4/30/24 since it looks like they are in denial.

Don't you wish that prospects would be more honest up front, as they are only really lying to themselves?

So this tenant has already been given notice of non-renewal but still asks for an additional roomie?

I've found that requiring 3 months of bank statements reveals a lot of valuable info. I think I got the idea from someone on this forum.

Tim,

mapleaf... how did you provide them notice? Did you have them "served" with it (like by a marshal / process server) or did you just mail (etc) them a letter indicating that you are not renewing their lease (or whatever)?

I prefer consistency, so once I had given Notice to Vacate (or whatever the appropriate form,) just speaking for me, I would only do actions consistent with the Notice to Vacate. Screening another prospective roommate is perhaps counter-productive? Some tenants would get confused, and some judges, maybe, wouldn’t like it.

I don't discuss another T's business. Now, if they talk among themselves.. Make sure you posted according to state law.

In Va, it is illegal to tell any of tenant's business unless it is PUBLIC info already. (Eviction info comes to mind)

It doesn't sound like your people are planning on leaving.