Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Investor Club

Landlords: Do you accept more than one application at a time?

  • 18 Jun 2016 8:08 PM
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    Message # 4084084
    Deleted user

    My integrity tells me to consider applications one at a time. Then if the current one looks to be more of a risk than I'm willing to accept, I will encourage others to apply/accept their application. 

    But my business sense tells me that I can't really afford to do that time-wise and that it's NOT a breach of my integrity to entertain more than one applicant at a time. I am looking for the next BEST tenant to take care of my property, am I not? 

    I would appreciate your quick responses!

    Sign me,

    A bird in the hand is perhaps not always worth two in the bush
  • 19 Jun 2016 9:31 AM
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    Reply # 4084485 on 4084084
    Howard Cox

    I'm a licensed broker and show my my properties to leads that contact me directly and other agents who are working with clients show my properties as well. I accept all applications till I have one that is approved. When I have multiple applicants I review their applications and decide which one I'm going to process. I don't process more than one application at a time as I don't believe it is ethical to spend potential tenant's money in this way when if not accepted they need to pony up again for a different property. I'm up front with how I handle applications to agents and their clients as well as anyone I show the property to. It is received well by everyone.

    Last modified: 19 Jun 2016 9:33 AM | Howard Cox
  • 19 Jun 2016 10:01 AM
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    Reply # 4084506 on 4084084
    Robin Carriger (Administrator)

    In my opinion, applications should be processed in the order they are received.  An application and its associated application fee can be accepted while another application is being processed, but, if a prior applicant is accepted, the fee from the applicant(s) whose application was never processed should be refunded.
  • 19 Jun 2016 11:46 AM
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    Reply # 4084571 on 4084084
    Deleted user

    Thanks for these responses. The only reason I would accept a second app while one is in process is that it's not looking good for the first applicant(s). So there has not been a situation where I would refund the second applicant's fee. But I think I would do that if the situation came up. I have, however, returned an applicant's fee without processing the application, because it was apparent that the person could not afford it (and was in the process of being evicted!). 

    I know what I need to do... Thanks!
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