Screening tenant with 4 kids (refugee?)

I just finished renovating my property (2 bedroom apartment ) and Iv had a tenant who is really interested. She visited multiple times while we were renovating the apartment

She's a single afghan lady with 4 kids and I believe she receives approx 1100 per week on Centrelink . She does not work, but her previous rental records are pretty good. Her friend lives in the apartment next door and they look after each other's kids.

Her kids range from 6 to 12 in age, and translate for her. They seem quite mature.

Would you consider her as a tenant or would there be anything you would look out for ?

 

I would be checking that.
If it's for realsies, have 4 kids and go on Centrelink.

 

The Bank statements she submitted should show what she is getting from Centrelink

 

If it has that amount but some other acronym combining the letters I and S, maybe steer clear.

 

You should consider them but the choice will depend on if you have any other applicants.

However the positives I can see are:

1. Likely to be a long term tenant due to her friend being next door.
2. She will most likely have low expenses and the guaranteed income makes the rent quite secure.
3. Kids are usually well behaved and they will be happy in the property even though it is small for most families.

Of course confirm all of the information they provide and also make sure you have landlords insurance.

You may mislead people because SSI (Settlement Services International) probably supported them when they first came to Australia though.

 

4 kids? That's a lot of wear and tear on the house.
I'd keep looking.

 

They could afford a 5 bedroom on that, um, wage.

 

Yeah they've got to live somewhere. Personally I just wouldn't be the one taking the gamble, as I'm sure a lot of other private landlords wouldn't either.

 

Always best to aim for run-of-the-mil type tenants unless the rental market is very weak in that suburb.

 

Can seem a tough call, but hopefully you get the pick of a few suitable tenants.

 

5 people and only 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom?

 

Google centrelink rate estimator. . Estimate family assistance and parenting payment single to get an idea of centrelink income

Wayyy toooo manyyyy people for a two bed place

 

Does that seem way too high for someone on Centrelink?

 

I spent 4 years of my childhood with 4 of us in 1 bedroom with 1 bathroom. it certainly can be done

 

Same; we lived in the USA in a 1 bed apartment with me, wife and son. Easily done, but not the preferred lifestyle choice.

As for demographic of good tenant - there isn't one.

I've had down and outers who were terrific, and a middle-aged nurse working full-time with two teenage boys - she was a total nightmare.

 

Generally yes, it is possible but she would need to be on carers payment + family tax benefit (including rent assistance) and get carers allowance for each of the kids.

 

If she and her friend mind each other's kids, then you are looking at twice as many kids banging into the walls and wearing out the carpet.

 

I'm from a family of 6 kids, mum single handedly raised us. When we first started renting no one would rent to us. Someone kind enough was willing to rent a 2b apartment, then a 2b house, then a 3b house, another 3b house, until mum had finally saved enough many years later for a deposit on a unit. Bless those landlords. We kept the places well as we were scared of being moved on, which we were, once landlords found other tenants.

I would consider refugees, as I haven't forgotten how hard it was for us. But do your DD.

 

My wife lived with her Mum and 7 siblings in a 1 bedroom flat when their uninsured house burnt down.

AS to the OP, it's a hard one. I'd feel better had it been unrenovated.

 

I lived in a shoe box in the middle of the road.