I get the feeling you are getting a vibe from her that this may not be the whole story. If so, follow your gut.
There are some people who I would trust it if they said that their landlord hit on them - it's all in the telling of the story and the maturity of the person.
Have you heard the saying: Past behavior predicts future performance. It's a motto that recruiters use for selecting candidates. It means if they were a good employee in the past, they will probably be one in the future. And then the opposite too - if they are were a bad employee in the past, they will probably be one in the future?
As a landlord, you can use the same slogan.
If they had issues with the last landlord, they will probably have issues with a future landlord.
Yes, it might be 100% the previous landlord's fault. But do you want to take the chance to deal with a trouble-maker tenant.
Unless this is the only person that is interested in renting, I'd select another renter.
I wouldn't just go by what the potential tenant says. I would talk to at least the last 3 landlords and do credit, criminal,and get 3 reference checks (all of those things should be listed on your application so the tenant knows in advance that you mean business). If you care about your property I wouldn't leave no stone unturned. Bad tenants (especially with sob stories) can costs thousands of dollars in damage and legal problems.
Most people who paid all their bills on time and followed all the rules would not state that their prior landlord "harassed" them. They would just say they've enjoyed where they've lived but are now looking for something different.
This isn't much different than looking for a job. The ones that come in the door BITCHING about the last one are the ones to avoid. Big mouths and usually full of crap.
I would get both sides of the story. Ask her for specific details, and call the landlord for confirmation. I would also run her through my standard screening process. I have any potential tenant pay an "application fee" so I can run their personal information through http://www.myrental.com.
Why would you assume she's telling you the truth? She may be a troubled tenant whose landlord has reason to "harass" her. Call the old landlord and see what he/she has to say.
Call the previous landlord and the ones before... bad landlords DO exist, and sometimes without reason.
Any prospective tenant who something bad to say about a previous LL cannot be a good tenant. As most people who have paid their rent on time not causing others tenants discomfort will not even mention a previous LL but would give references.
I would move on and look at another tenant. You don't need the drama and there's plenty of other non-soap-opera renters out there.
I would avoid her since he may have needed to harass her if she won't pay her rent or obey rules.
A prospect is looking for a new apartment because she says her landlord harasses her. How do I screen her if I can't rely on the landlord to give fair information. How do I verify her claim is true?
