Potential rental applicant that's lived in Europe for the last decade

[ca-rn]

I have a potential rental applicant that is an ideal match for an upcoming vacant unit.

The applicant is easily googleable so what they say they do is easily verified and their self employed income more than meets requirements with an excellent credit score.

The applicant is a US citizen that has been working in France for the last decade and recently returned back the US, currently living in a short term rental since last year.  I will contact the US landlord but not sure how to check their rental history in France. 

I requested their emails b/c I don't speak French and time difference. 

I feel like they would be an ideal tenant but its also good to check/verify everything out, especially rental history.

Use google translate?  Advice?
 

[SunnyDays]

There are a number of French speakers on this forum if you need translation services.  I’m not fluent, but I’m sure I can wade through any replies you receive if you would like.  Google Translate isn’t always very accurate.

[ca-rn]

There are a number of French speakers on this forum if you need translation services.  I’m not fluent, but I’m sure I can wade through any replies you receive if you would like.  Google Translate isn’t always very accurate.

Thank you for the offer! 

Prospective tenant provided their emails and luckily, said they are fluent in English as well so I just emailed them in English.

[franklin4]

Only tangentially related, here's the meat of an emailed reference I received this summer from the former landlord of an applicant, in response to my email inquiry. I found it striking because I could not imagine any American writing this. I approved the applicants but they found another place they liked better. If you get a response that is in any way similar please share it!

Thank you for your message and for your confidence. I can only warmly recommend ______, who are excellent tenants, punctual in payment, very clean and pleasant. If they had wanted to stay a third year in Paris, we would have been delighted to rent them our apartment again.
They are very serious and trustworthy people, and _________ and I have nothing but praise for them.
We hope this review helps, and send you our warmest regards,

[rothwem]

I'm not sure what your rental applicant situation looks like, but I'd be careful about finding a reason to rent to someone you're not sure about.  Just pick the safe choice, rental properties are a job, not a charity (well unless it's a charity). 

If this is the only applicant for your unit, its probably overpriced. 

[pasadenafr]

Only tangentially related, here's the meat of an emailed reference I received this summer from the former landlord of an applicant, in response to my email inquiry. I found it striking because I could not imagine any American writing this. I approved the applicants but they found another place they liked better. If you get a response that is in any way similar please share it!

Thank you for your message and for your confidence. I can only warmly recommend ______, who are excellent tenants, punctual in payment, very clean and pleasant. If they had wanted to stay a third year in Paris, we would have been delighted to rent them our apartment again.
They are very serious and trustworthy people, and _________ and I have nothing but praise for them.
We hope this review helps, and send you our warmest regards,

What's so striking about it?

[pasadenafr]

Did you get a response to your inquiry? I'm curious :)

It's probably much too late, but as a native French speaker, I'd be happy to help if you need.

[Bamboo67]

Did you get a response to your inquiry? I'm curious :)

It's probably much too late, but as a native French speaker, I'd be happy to help if you need.

Same here!

[Artem_F]

knowing the situation from inside, I'd say that it's much more difficult to find a rental in Paris than in DC area (when we arrived from Alexandria, VA, I had a 2-year contract and a good salary, still it took us a month and 30+ visits to get 2 offers, one of which we took). So, if the person passed through this filter in France, he/she should qualify for a rental in the US. For comparison, getting an apt. in Alexandria was as simple as filling out the forms and getting the keys in 2 weeks (note that we were foreigners in both countries and I had a same type of contract in the US)

[Dicey]

@ca-rn, what did you end up doing?

[ca-rn]

@ca-rn, what did you end up doing?

Though she was a ideal candidate, ended up not renting to her.  Turned out she had a one year contract to work in Los Angeles with possible extension but I really wanted a tenant that was planning to stay longer than 1 year. 

Hated to turn her down but ended up finding another great candidate!  Who more importantly, agreed to a 16 month lease so it will end during the summer instead of dead winter and by that time, I plan to be mortgage FREE!!!

Not sure why (since I have enough funds) but I feel pressured to work super hard to fill any vacancy since I have a mortgage.  I think that should change once its paid off but no matter trying to find a qualified tenant during December for January move in is the worst!!!