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Your LIES Are NOT Fool Proof..... That's Why We Did NOT Rent To YOU!

By Diane Rice

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL 481.010183

September 23, 2009 04:53 AM

OK... Here we go! Another application turned down! Oh well! We tried very hard to get YOU, Mr. & Mrs. TENANT, accepted by giving you the benefit of the doubt..... WE SCREENED EXTENSIVELY, SEEKING CREDIBLE EVIDENCE, based upon what you fed us!

You KNEW they were LIES in the beginning!!! Do you think we are that vulnerable??? Listen, we are NOT boasting, but we have heard just about it all.... Didn't you not know we wrote the book ..."578 Excuses Tenants Use!" We revert to this book exclusively to avert EVICTIONS! We will properly screen each person desirous to move into one of our accommodations.... it's part of our procedures in MANAGEMENT!

Your LIES are NOT fool proof and will be added to our book! Thank you for the contributions... and NO! we will NOT be dishing out Royalties for your new entry!! Please check this LIE list before you call....

Current OVERUSED Circulation of LIES:

Owner is in foreclosure and we have to move immediately!! - LIE! We checked the records!
I pay my rent on time every month... here are the receipts! - LIE! YOU made them yourself!
I NEVER had an an eviction! - LIE! - It's too new to show on your report.. but WE have ways!
It's just for me & 2 kids! - LIE! - What about the 8 we saw on our unannounced visit?
We have GOOD credit! - LIE! - Why is your credit score just 389?
I am a victim of fraud! - LIE! - YOU are WEARING the stuff the collectors are going after!
Here is my landlord's phone number! - LIE! We NEVER call numbers YOU give us of your friends!
We had a fire! - LIE! That old burnt out excuse!! (Fire Departments keep records you know!)
My Landlord is a Slumlord! - LIE! YOU tore the place up YOURSELF!!
My place was broken into! - TRUE! But the company YOU keep will burglarize ours too!

... And the list continues...

Please Mr. & Mrs. Applicant.... do us all a favor and get your lies straightened out BEFORE you apply for a rental! If ALL you have are credit issues, you do not have to LIE about it, be honest, for we have SOLUTIONS that just may just place you into one of our units! Thank you!

"Where the RIGHT Price is the RICE Price!"

DISCLAIMER: Diane Rice, and Rice Property Management & Realty, LLC, disclaims all liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in this blog or for accuracy of comments or opinions of visitors to my blogs.

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Leslie Helm

Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN

Real Estate For Trail Riders

You're right, Diane....you can run, but you can't hide! The internet has changed the world in so many, many ways!

Sep 23, 2009 04:56 AM

Melissa Zavala

Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA

Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Maybe you should use Broker Bryant's system for detecting liars (see his post with a video of his dog, Brutus). But from the looks of things, you've detected all the lies already. No disrespect, but your list includes all of the reasons that I do not do property management.

Hope it gets better!

Sep 23, 2009 04:56 AM

Vickie Nagy

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA

Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

Wow! Strong words. However, I have had bad personal experiences with tenants. As you say, doing the diligence with the application is crucial.

Sep 23, 2009 05:01 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Thanks Leslie, Melissa, and Vickie for your comments.... I will be back to address them later today.

Diane

Sep 23, 2009 05:17 AM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

Great post!!! I'm re-doing my application checklist this winter and adding to check social media as well as local court websites......it would be GREAT to have a national registry of local court websites by city/county somewhere. I've suggested it to Jefrey Taylor on MrLandlord that users of his Q&A forum can keep and update.....knowing how to FIND this information is half the battle!!!

Sep 23, 2009 09:48 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Leslie: For sure. Old tactics will not work here.... and we cannot afford to take chances with tenants who will cause us so much misery in the future. Thanks for commenting!

Melissa: I have not seen Broker Bryant's post yet, but i'm sure it will bring much laughter! Many run from Property Management... it still has to be done though, and the good part is the gratification received from placing a good tenant in after thorough screening.

Vickie: These strong words come from years of seeing these lies used repeatedly. I have learned to BRACE myself.... and when one comes in with GOOD credit legitimate references, and all the back-ups... we celebrate!

Wallace: Yes, social media has become another resource to check, and i agree with you that it's the research that takes up most of the time in screening. Do you think Mr. Taylor will take you up on your suggestion?

Sep 23, 2009 12:38 PM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Diane it is amazing how people think they can lie on an application and not get caught, and then they act surprised when they are caught.

Sep 23, 2009 02:29 PM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

George: LOL! You may not get as many of these as we do.... figured i'd blog about it to help deter wasting time on both ends..... and get my rant out at the same time!

Sep 23, 2009 03:45 PM

Irene Tron

Valparaiso, IN

Sounds like you have heard it all. It'd be so much easier if people were just truthful to start with.

Sep 23, 2009 10:32 PM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

Diane * I just signed up for e-Pro on-line course after taking 1.5 hour intro class at our local Realtor asso office - I'm looking forward to getting up to speed!!!

Sep 23, 2009 11:05 PM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Irene - yes we have heard it all practically. I suppose the reason for the lies is to paint a "good picture" to get accepted. We respond with more empathy toward those that tell us up front about their challenged credit.... those we can help.

Wallace: Good for you.... I signed up last year and have not completed it yet.

Sep 24, 2009 01:32 AM

Eric Boyd

Red Rooster Property Management, 904-469-6335 - Jacksonville, FL

FL Lic Real Estate Broker / Property Manager

Great post, Diane! I can't help but wonder how many lying tenant prospects have been transformed into honest ones because of thorough screening processes we professionals offer. At some point, they're bound to get that change of heart to start being honest about who they really are. Does it ever happen? :-)

Sep 24, 2009 03:27 AM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

HELLO DIANE! Great lies! I've heard a lot of these - some are new though! The one I get alot is, "We don't have pets." Surrrrree! -- Gabrielle

Sep 24, 2009 06:30 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Eric!! Very funny dude! Transformed? Send me your secrets after you successfully convert them!

Gabrielle: Had forgotten to list that one.... and the two-legged walking and talking pets are the surprise ones, eh?

Sep 24, 2009 08:30 AM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

Wow, the lies they can come up with! My favorite is the woman who put down a name as current landlord- when we checked the tax records the property was actually owned by a local RE agent. When we "called her" on it she said "Well, I couldn't put HIM down- he'd tell you bad things". Duh!

Also the one who put a cell phone down for employer. When I called the business number from the phone book instead they said no, she didn't work there anymore. Do they REALLY think we're that stupid?

Sep 27, 2009 07:31 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Leslie: I knew this post would ring a bell with those of us having to screen! Applicants sincerely think we will NOT check them out thoroughly, and they come with a song and dance to win us over with that! One of my latest ones submitted an online application.... and get this.... the NAME of the person on the credit card was....... YOU GUESSED IT.... the so-called Landlord! Hey..... I just thought of a name of a post..... The "screening awards" Post! (Gotta figure out a way to reward the winners of the STUPIDEST stuff they found from screening....)

Sep 27, 2009 09:04 AM

M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)

NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ

Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Diane, this is a great post and the responses as well. I will be forwarding this blog to the CAL leasing team and management as well as some MDA Compliance analysts.

You saved me time in making a point. ..As impressive rental pool may exist until appropriate screening is accomplished. Screening definitely reduces the rental candidate pool.

Another reason not to base investment decisions on HUD reports.

Sep 30, 2009 12:14 AM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Suzi: Thank you! I am honored that you'd use this. Feel free to use any other posts by me also. We have high end and low end properties, and find that no matter what, where, or who.... the excuses and lies are the same. Le me know the reactions you receive from it.... it should be interesting.

Sep 30, 2009 02:09 AM

Debbie Malone

Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA

From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Diane, I'm smiling because we've heard it all..... I actually received a call from a landlord in another state regarding a couple who were going to rent from us. (They GAVE their previous landlord our number, ???). We averted a huge problem when we found out they trashed that home!

I'm wary of people who have lots of cash and want to take the property TODAY. Usually, someone else isn't getting paid their last months rent!

Oct 28, 2009 03:13 PM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Debbie... or they are in a hurry because they are trying to beat the eviction! I've also received calls from new landlords seeking truth... we give it too! Debbie, this is the life eh?

Oct 28, 2009 03:59 PM

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Your LIES Are NOT Fool Proof..... That's Why We Did NOT Rent To YOU!

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