The  Loose Screw. While I’m on the subject of e-mails from prospective tenants,  let me mention the ‘loose screw.’ A ‘loose screw’ is an expression that my father used to use. A person with a loose screw is ​somebody who is just plain screwy. He is what is known in the San Francisco bay area as a ‘Berkeley type’, and there are a lot of Berkeley types in Berkeley. Berkeley types are usually well educated, articulate, and interested in the arts and politics. These people are not mentally ill, and they are certainly not stupid. They are just really weird. I always have my antennae up when reading e-mails from prospective applicants, looking for the guy with a loose screw. Here are some e-mails that I received the last time I had an apartment listed for rent on Craigslist. Do any of these people sound to you like they have a loose screw?

“Your apartment is exactly what I am looking for. I am very excited! I am ready to sign a lease now and move in tomorrow. I just have one question. Where is Berkeley?”

“I saw your ad on Craigslist. Your ad says that the apartment has 4 bedrooms. Are they all inside?”

“Your ad says that you won’t allow a dog. What about 2 dogs?”  (This one is my favorite!)