And how would you prevent them from changing address of driver's licence ? Do you hang out at the mail box every day to make sure no mail addressed to them ends up there?
Or their address on their checking account (statements can be emailed but address will appear at the bank on on their checks. My tenants wanted to get a library card and a beach permit — do you just tell them too bad?
The only way I know of (and I had a house that I rented) to minimize the probability of trouble,is to properly vet the tenants thru references and credit check. Not foolproof but the best that can be done at a reasonable cost of time and $'s.
I don't care about their license, banking statements, or library cards. If I rent out a property you don't use the address. Period. I have had one too many issues with tenants years ago where they claim residency and then squatted for months. If they don't like, they are free to find another apartment. It's my caveat and it has worked for me.
The vetting process can only get you so far, people lie like it's their job. Once they're in, and they are the wrong type of cat, its hard to get them out.
I won't rent to anyone with a credit score under 700, or with less than 2 years of job history at same place of employment.
Quick story, so I rented out a place I have on North Shore of the Island back in Oct 2019. Nice girl, good job, single. She checked out via background check. by January 2020 she has a BF and he practically is there every night my tenants upstairs tell me. Fighting, loud music, he's outside smoking all the time. SO I say something and remind her that the apartment was rented for one, not her and her BF. She tells me too bad, we love each other and you have no right. I said I do have the right, its my house. Then she starts complaining about my other tenants (whom have been there for 3 years, zero problems). Complaining about the landscapers making too much noise, contractors, the dogs barking. Texting me all times of the night complaining that the people upstairs make too much noise when they walk. A fucking nitemare this one turned out to be.
By March 2020 she loses her job due to COVID, and tells me she will no longer be paying rent and her BF has to move in bc he lost his job and has no place to go. Total fuck job. March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, NO RENT! But she collects unemployment. Not even an attempt to offer a few hundred here or there. What I am saying is had she established residency she may still be in there. Claiming she has no where to go, the eviction process is UGLY and not something enjoyable. Not too mention it takes a LONG time. She was vetted, but there is no test for crazy unless you go through their medical history.
To get them out I told them you owe me 10 months rent, and I will collect on it. If you exit by end of December all is forgiven, you owe me nothing. If you don't I won't stop until I collect every cent you owe me through any and all legal channels available to me.
She decides she is going to move upstate and in with her Mom.
Total fuck job! So I do what works for me. If that means guarding the mailbox, then I will do it. If that means they get a PO box, thats what they have to do.
