In what world would anyone think this was persuasive? The mind boggles.

I received this email from someone who I think is some sort of advocate. She called me about this guy to tell me he didn't have a job or anything but needed a place to live. I told her he had to have some sort of proveable income: bank statements, tax return, etc.

Then I got this email. She does not mention an organization or anything so maybe a church helper? Really don't know. But in what world would this compell someone to rent to this man (He has no job and put down $100/month as income on his application.)

"Good afternoon. Mr Smith is living in an bedroom in an unsanitary house and his current landlord was to provide internet for him as part of his package and unfortunately it hasn’t been consistent so he has asked that I email you to ensure this information is received.

He has recently opened a checking account with Bank and does not have a banking statement at this time to provide you with ma’am. He does hope that this will be taken into consideration for the rental of the property. [NOTE FROM WMH: WHAT exactly do I take into consideration here??]

I am praying that he is allowed to move into that residence and as soon as possible. As his current living conditions are not safe. The water is contaminated and unable to be used for any purpose.

There are 13 cats in that house that have urinated and deficated throughout the house which is not cleaned. The smell is of old and new feces and urine. The trash is not taken to the dump and is left by all three renters doors that attracts flies and maggots. No drinking water and even after showering the renters have red areas all over their bodies and the landlord withholds then mail and has opened to find out what is within it. Also there are 2 renters that are on parole. One of which has a gun. This is not a safe or clean environment at all.

Please consider allowing him to move into the address above. It would improve his living environment tremendously as well as his state of mind.

Respectfully, etc."

Here's the kicker: Turns out we rent to his son. His son is a nice guy, an HVAC repair guy, takes care of his place and pays his rent. We didn't know about Dad when we rented to Son, I don't generally ask about parents and they don't show up on background checks! And they do not share a last name - son uses Mom's name. Now that I've met Dad I can understand it. Bet he was a dead-beat dad.

I had a guy call me once when I was doing an open house.

The open house hours were up, and he asked me if I would wait on him, so I did. Bad idea. The guy was a time waster. He had no current employment or "self-employed" but no business. He was currently living with his daughter that he was helping remodel their house, but now the house is done and he needs to move. Claimed he had over 1M in retirement invested somewhere but refused to show proof. I let him apply and pay the liars tax.

I think the son is on his second lease, so he's been a decent tenant.

I can't figure that part out - the internet thing and why it matters. Our internet goes out and we go to McDonald's or Starbuck's.

The dirt and debris and trash: why the hel isn't he taking trash that is sitting outside people's doors himself if it's that gross? We have free trash sub-stations all over this county, that's where we take ours (trash pick-up here is a paid service, no county or city services, just the free sub-stations.) If he were living at our place, he'd have to haul his own trash!

The no-water thing is a reportable offense, unless she talking about two days ago when we had a water main break and EVERYONE who had county water ended up with non-potable water for a day or two - a boil alert was issued county-wide. (We have a well at our personal resident so not an issue, but that particular rental was definitely affected.)

So it seems like a guy who won't do anything to help himself. I'm not getting involved with that!!

I get these types of calls all.the.time. Again I say there's no "housing crisis." There IS a personal responsibility crisis.

This shows the length that legal aid will go to in order to thwart the housing providers.

youtu.be/IyGQO024Y24?is=x9PFYi5W401_hqix

Perhaps he qualifies for rent assistance.