Wanted: A Tenant Who Knows Roaches Aren’t Pets

A landlord tired of undesirable tenants said today that he has received hundreds of phone calls since advertising for tenants with standards, including knowing that “roaches are not household pets.”

Landlord Jim Kennedy, 45, of New Paltz said he placed the classified ad in the Kingston Freeman after booting a perceived drug dealer out of one of his apartments.

Kennedy said he was tired of renting to the “dregs of society.”

The advertisement requires that tenants:

--”Have a job or at least give the appearance that you could get one.”

--”Have some type of schooling or at least know there are other adverbs besides the one which starts with ‘F’ and ends with ‘ing.’ ”

--”Realize roaches are not household pets and you will keep the apartment clean so that you will not attract any.”

--”Actually pay the rent on time, with a good check.”

--”Realize drugs are not fun and you must have a doctor’s prescription to use them.”

--”Must actually be married to your partner or at least know the correct spelling of their last name.”

Kennedy said he got the idea for the ad “from the people who were coming to look at the property. I own a lot of houses and have had this problem for a long time--you put $200,000 into a building and it’s not taken care of.”

Kennedy said he has received 200 calls since placing the ad and “195 were positive.” He said he rented the apartment “to a lovely couple.”