On Apr 17, 9:53*am, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
> On Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:57:58 -0700 (PDT),
> "shareyourknowle...@hotmail.com" <shareyourknowle...@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I told her never to agree to having a tenant move in until you do a
> >background check.I said just because the former tenant was a good
> >tenant, it doesn't mean her friend will be the same.
>
> Background checks and references are nearly useless. *Most references
> are coached to lie for their friends. *Landlords are reluctant to give
> bad references because of fear of subsequent retaliation. *You can get
> a credit history, but most students are not registered with a credit
> bureau and have little to report. *Parents can co-sign as resposible
> party, but might be no better than the student. *
>
> One of my rentals became a student crash pad after my long term good
> tenants (15 years) left. *There were 3 or 4 of them in the house at a
> time. *There was a constant turn-over as one left and was replaced by
> their friends. *Anyone staying more than a few days got to fill out a
> application, sign a rental agreement (not a lease), and submit a
> deposit (so I could pay the former tenant back their deposit). *In
> other words, it was a formal process. *I had problems, but the
> turn-over method seemed to work as long as the original tenants were
> fairly repsonsible. *Good people tend to have similar friends. *A good
> question to ask is "How long have you known your friend"? *If less
> than about a year, be suspicious. *If more than a few years, they're
> probably fairly similar in living habits. *Talking to the parents is
> often a good idea, as you can get a clue of what might happen if you
> have to fall back and ask for their help.
>
> However, that's not what my rant is about. *I'm merely suggesting that
> you know the applicable laws (for "hiring of property"), that you
> cover thy ass with contracts and paper, and that you do a minimum
> effort to pre-qualify a prospective tenant. *Finding a tenant is MUCH
> easier than getting rid of one.
>
> Also, $30 to $175 for a router that supports a "guest" account is a
> cheap investment for internal security and peace in the house.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann * * je...@cruzio.com
> 150 Felker St #D * *http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann * * AE6KS * *831-336-2558

I've discussed this with the wife before ad nauseum and to no avail.
She just doesn't see things in a rational way.She doesn't believe in
legal contracts or anything else. When she meets a prospective
tenant,she evaluates on intuition. As i said before, she owns the
house. She can decide who comes or goes. I'll suggest the "guest'
router to her. That's a good idea.Regards.