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The Results Of Referencing Prospective Tenants On Facebook

Written by The Landlord on 18 Oct 2010

I previously wrote a blog post about how I Use Facebook To Reference Prospective Tenants. Basically, when someone applies to be my tenant I always look them up on Facebook, by searching for their name and/or email address . 7 times out of 10, the applicant has a Facebook profile, giving me the opportunity to get a snapshot into their life. If lady luck is on my side, the profile will be completely insecure, allowing me to view the entire visual catalogue of the applicant’s life.

I posted a sample image of antics landlords should be wary of:

Chavs and Hoot Rats

As a landlord, if you saw that picture of a prospective tenant, you’d be slightly cautious, right? I’ll happily be a judgemental prick and assume the worst. The two guys look like the result of an incest breeding program and the women look dirty. Not dirty in a good way, like sexually dirty. I’m talking physically dirty, as in hairy armpits and hairy vaginas with discharge. I couldn’t think of a good adjective to describe them, but after some research, I found “hood rat” to be appropriate.

Hood Rat: “A ghetto ass girl who hangs out with all the ghetto guys and thinks it’s cute to be a slutt” – urban dictionary

Perfect.

Of course, my judgements may be inaccurate, they may make perfectly ammacle tenants, and may even be nice people. However, my mind has already been contaminated with that image and judgement has been made. I’m only human; I’ve judged a book by it’s cover.

So, you can only imagine my amusement when I received an enquiry from this dude…

Unfortunately, his profile is set to a level of security which didn’t let me delve further. However, I think I saw enough.

NOTICE ANY SIMILARITIES, BITCHES?

Spot the difference

What’s most amusing is that the example photo I posted was an overly dramatised/comical image of what to be wary of. I didn’t actually expect to ever encounter an applicant’s picture to be of a similar nature. Granted, the guy is probably being facetious. But there’s a chance he’s not. Either way, I’m judging him based on that image being his reality. Not a bad reality to be in, if you ask me. It’s just not an ideal reality for a landlord to be an accessory of.

I’m actually going to let the guy view the property because I think it will be an interesting experience. I’m very unlikely to give him tenure because he seems too wild for my taste. However, I wonder if PIMPS are like pikeys when it comes to striking deals. He may trade in one of his bitches with every deal he makes (as opposed to a dag). If so, perhaps then we can come to some kind of arrangement.

On a more positive note, let’s give respect where respect is due. Fair play to the guy. He’s partying hard, he’s got a pair of caucasian bitches getting freaky in the background, and he’s generally having a good time. He’s literally living life like an Eastern European rapper/pimp.

I only hope he’s sticking to the pimp code…

Thou shall not playa hate
Thou shall not trust a hoe
Thou shall not disrespect the game

Respect.

See, some times there is method in my madness. My simple Facebook referencing tactics has paid off by potentially surfacing a prospective tenant that likes to party a little too hard for my taste.

So, if you saw a picture like that of your prospective tenant, would it have any influence on your decision making?

My Experience With Discountletting.co.uk To Find Tenants

Tips For Landlords With Empty Properties Between Tenants

Property Investment Project Is Now On Facebook- Join The Revolution

Give Prospective Tenants The Benefit Of Doubt At Your Own Risk

I Use Facebook To Reference Prospective Tenants

Landlord Guide On Referencing Tenants

6 Comments - join the conversation...

Ryan2010-10-19 10:59:22 Haha, references to Urban Dictionary and Snatch.
This is the reason I love reading your antics Landlord! 1

Shelly2010-10-19 11:34:52 LOL- what does your FB pofile picture say about u? I am still thinking of the holiday pictures u posted on this site recently :) 2

The Landlord2010-10-19 20:37:11 Cheers, Ryan :) Much appreciated! I try to keep my information from only the most reliable of sources!

@Shelly: Oddly, my current profile picture is of me on holiday, chilling on the beach! It says i'm a beach hunk! 3

property lady2010-10-21 20:28:46 Facebook is probably more reliable than the crap photocopies of blurry passports I receive as so-called references. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. 4

Decent Tenant2011-02-25 18:08:50 You should be ashamed of your attitude. OK ensuring you get a decent tenant is paramount when you are a Landlord. Making judgements about people who have photos of themselves out having a good time doesn't make them a bad tenant. Maybe they should Facebook you and check whether you are the sort of Lanlord that they would want. I wouldn't want to rent off such a bigoted, judgemental person such as yourself!!!!! 5

Chris2011-11-03 12:59:48 So, if you saw a picture like that of your prospective tenant, would it have any influence on your decision making?

YES. 6