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The Results Of Referencing Prospective Tenants On Facebook
Holy shit.
Oh, the coincidence.
So, check it…
I recently wrote a blog post about how I use Facebook as part of my tenant referencing methods. Basically, when someone applies to be my tenant I always try to hunt them down on Facebook, by searching for their name and/or email address. 9 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 facetious image of antics landlords should be wary of:
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 like a couple of hoodrats.
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 brash and ignorant judgements might be highly inaccurate; those specimens may make perfectly amicable 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, and it certainly won’t be the last time I judge a book by it’s cover.
Anyways, you can only imagine my utter amusement when I received an tenant enquiry from this dude…
I shit you not.
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?
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 when he/she is trying to suitable find tenants.
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 (which is what he clearly is) are similar to pikeys when it comes to negotiating. He may trade in one of his bitches as part of the transaction (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 freaky bitches, and he’s generally having a good time.
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?
Disclaimer: I'm just a landlord blogger; I'm 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I'm a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
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11 Join the Conversation...


LOL- what does your FB pofile picture say about u? I am still thinking of the holiday pictures u posted on this site recently :)

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!

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.

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!!!!!

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

I agree with you decent tenant. Its truly sad that humans are programmed to think and judge in such shameful ways. Checking out their Facebook profile is an ingenious idea though! I'll give you that. Just a massive shame you are using your powers for evil Landlord. I never realized there was so much stigma attached to a profile picture!

I understand your point and that you check on your potential tenants on facebook but I find your comments pretty racist. "Two Caucasian" chicks, "Eastern European pimp" etc....I myself am from Eastern Europe, from Czech Republic and I sometimes I am aghast seeing the British young professionals, males and females standing outside of a pub and drinking to the unconsciousness after finishing at work. "Decent" women by day wallowing on the streets totally drunk. No culture, poor morals. Well, ok, they do what they like. So there are bad examples everywhere. I would be happy if people stop doing long faces when hearing "Eastern Europe". I have been living in flat shares with people of a very poor hygiene standards, all of them from the UK and New Zealand. Shall I call them all "British and Kiwi pigs"? No, I won't.

@Helena,
But the women are Caucasian and he actually IS Eastern European... and he's coming across as a playboy/pimp.
I wouldn't find it racist if you're specifically referring to a British individual that is notably dirty as a "British Pig"
Kind of amusing actually.

This blog is sooooooooo much fun. It's like the written version of watching the Kardashians, except has more drama. Two words: Bad ass! (the exclamation mark is not a word).

Helena ...
Calm down ...eastern europeans are mostly lovely people and make good tenants .I choose them preferably to the english .
You are right many of the english renters are total pigs.
Derek
Haha, references to Urban Dictionary and Snatch.
This is the reason I love reading your antics Landlord!