Last week I get a response from a realtor 50 miles away wanting more information on my zillo add for a customer. Then she says they have two small dogs and one larger dog. I respond that we only allow two small pets as this home does not have a big back yard then today I get this.

Good afternoon, I am looking for a property in _____ as my husband has received career opportunity in the area and I am a nurse looking to work at the local hospital. I have two small dogs that total 15 pounds together and a medium size service dog. I am working with realtor _______ also. Would we be able to set up a tour for this home and fill out an application?

Thoughts?

Hopefully by now you are able to spot defective paperwork, and advise we turn the paperwork into our senator for investigation. I have found the 4 digit medical code for an OH doctor to prescribe with.

Well if it were me I'd treat everyone the same and they have to fill out my pre-qual form before seeing the property. If they pass, they can schedule on my calendar. Just because they see the property doesn't mean they will submit an application and just because they submit an application doesn't mean it will be accepted.

There are so many reasons an application could be rejected.

Not enough income

Not high enough credit score

No good landlord references

No good character references (friends family co-workers)

They smoke

Another application was approved before your application was completed.

Etc

None of which has anything to do with their pets.

More dog mentality.

When I has someone with "pets" saying they are emotional support animal, I first ask them to view the rental before I had out an application. I never make a special trip, I only have scheduled open house.

I offer anyone a application packet to fill out with "Proof" of my requirements. If the "people" pass my muster test, I then hand them my "pet" applications.

Realtors around me, if they have a listing want the first month's rent and 6-10% there after. So I would not recommend using the realtor route for a rental placement.

If you have other rentals have your great tenants get you a referral instead and pay them for the successful placements.

Interesting. I got a text from NJ on the rental line saying "I'm a traveling nurse and I'm interested in locating to [local BIG MED] I have a husband and 2 yr old child. Please let me know when we can see the property and how to apply."

I check the NPA/NXX on incoming phone calls and saw it was from NJ (which gives me pause to begin with). I texted her back the prequal link.

Crickets.

I'm thinking if they are testing now, it will be for the under 3 children set because the lead paint laws are becoming more and more Draconian.

Kevin,

ALWAYS act as if it's a tester. ALWAYS.

The realtor might just be helping. No fee mentioned yet.

Your only legal response is "Everyone is welcome to apply".

Interesting situation - allow 2 animals but the third is a service animal.

I don't mess with pre-quals because they take time and don't pay. We only text with PAID APPLICANTS. We don't give them lockbox codes until we review their app and are waiting for LLs to call us back.

we remind them to check the online photos and the video walkthru on Youtube, and go look in the windows. NOBODY gets the code or a showing or our time until we review their paid app.

The phrase "career opportunity" makes my Landlordey-Sense tingle.

Kevin,

ALWAYS act as if it's a tester. ALWAYS.

The realtor might just be helping. No fee mentioned yet.

Your only legal response is "Everyone is welcome to apply".

Interesting situation - allow 2 animals but the third is a service animal.

I don't mess with pre-quals because they take time and don't pay. We only text with PAID APPLICANTS. We don't give them lockbox codes until we review their app and are waiting for LLs to call us back.

we remind them to check the online photos and the video walkthru on Youtube, and go look in the windows. NOBODY gets the code or a showing or our time until we review their paid app.

The phrase "career opportunity" makes my Landlordey-Sense tingle.

Sorry for the duplication.

And the phrase "Local hospital" seems generic. Normally a person would say "Smith Hospital".

Suspicious like it's a copy/paste.

Overall we don't decline until we have their full paid application. This gives us documentation with their signature.

I predict you'll never see an app from this person.

I don't "think" it's a tester but treat everyone the same and you don't have to worry about it (well, I guess it depends on HOW you treat them though grins).

Anyway, let them apply if they want and pay whatever fees they have to pay and if they follow through with all of that THEN you can most likely find something to deny on. I say if because most likely, they won't follow through. I have yet to have any of them do that ... always interested, no follow through. If they are testers... they most certainly will not follow through at all for sure.