
Money wiring scam: An applicant overpays with a forged check and requests the excess to be wired back. The check bounces, leaving the landlord with a financial loss.
Falsified documents: Applicants provide fake pay stubs, rental histories, or IDs to appear more qualified. This leaves landlords with residents who may not be able to pay rent or have hidden issues.
Unauthorized subletting: Residents rent the property to someone else without the landlord's knowledge, collecting payments while abandoning the lease. Both the landlord and subletter are left in a tough situation.
Nonpayment of rent: There are "professional renters" who exploit legal loopholes to delay eviction, staying rent-free for months or more and leaving landlords with significant losses and perhaps property damage.
False maintenance claims: Residents fabricate repair issues to avoid paying rent, forcing landlords to spend time and money investigating nonexistent problems.
How to help detect renter scams
Verify documents: Cross-check formatting, pay amounts, and other details on supposed official documents.
Confirm employment and rental history: When possible, call employers and previous landlords using public sources. Verify rental histories carefully.
Use technology: Implement online applications, screening, payments, and background checks to avoid issues with falsified documents and fraudulent payments.
Lastly, after the renter moves in conduct regular inspections to help ensure property is clean, being cared for, and to detect unauthorized occupants or property misuse.
If you are a landlord or tenant and need to consult with a real estate attorney, please reach out to us!