That was then – tenant screening

Sir Walter must face financial circumstance and lease out his country manor home. The go-between, Shepard, spouts off all the appealing characteristics of his potential tenant.

And who is Admiral Croft?” was Sir Walter’s cold suspicious inquiry.

Mr. Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman’s family, and mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed, added—

” He is rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and has been in the bast Indies since ; he has been stationed there, I believe, several years.

One must be careful using the family word in real estate, today. Best to think of other descriptors. But not personal features as such:

Mr. Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale, hearty, well-looking man, a little weather beaten to be sure, but not much; and quite the gentleman to he sure in all is notions and behaviour.

Outward characteristics are not to be asked or recorded on a rental application. But the terms of the unit can be recorded.

not likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms; only wanted a comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must pay for his convenience;-knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter had asked more;-had inquired about the manor;

Oh- and there’s this.

—would be glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it;— said he sometimes took out a gun, but never killed ;—quite the gentleman.

And theres lots to say about the family. (Also a no-no today)

Mr. Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the circumstances of the admiral’s family, which made him peculiarly desirable as a tenant.

He was a married man, and without children; the very state to be wished for. A house was never taken good care of, Mr. Shepherd observed, without a lady: he did not know, whether furniture might not be in danger of suffering as much where there was no lady, as where there were many children. A lady, without a family, was the very best preserver of furniture in the world. He had seen Mrs. Croft, too;

All these rich social indicators are removed when renters seek homes in today’s market.