There are a lot of very eccentric people in the world. And like a fine wine, I have a great appreciation for them. Frankly if everyone was normal, the world would be a very boring place. That being said, I like to keep my landlord life simple. When I show my bungalow to a prospective tenant I use the time to really interview them and find out what they are about.

Conversation is the key. Let them talk about themselves. This should be easy. People love to talk about themselves. If they are not talking at all, it is because they are not interested in renting your unit. You can shuttle these folks through quickly so you don’t waste your time.

What is the most disturbing think I have heard? We had an older couple who was looking for a place where NO ONE in the neighborhood used dryer sheets. Have you tried the moon? I wanted to ask. Apparently they had an extreme sensitivity to dryer sheets and the area had to be clear for several blocks of dry sheet chemical. I can picture myself on a neighborhood campaign to stop out dryer sheets. Here is me knocking on doors and passing out leaflets. I think not. I folded up the showing quickly when the conversation turned to dryer sheets.

The bottom line is that I want a tenant who is reasonable and easy to work with. I can’t promise that there won’t be problems. I look for people who will work with me as I work for them. People who make a lot of demands or are inflexible will not be fun when there is a plumbing backup and it is 10pm and I can’t get the plumber out until the morning.

It pays to be choosy and wait for the right tenant. Conversation is the key.