The Screening Question That Made a Grown Man Cry

And why I ask it every time now.

Imagine this…

You’re screening a prospective tenant.
Good job, decent credit, friendly in person.
So far, everything checks out.

Then you get to the final question.
You ask—calmly, almost offhand:

“If something unexpected happened—like a job loss or illness—who could we call that might help you get caught up on rent?”

Suddenly… everything shifts.

The guy pauses.