Real Estate Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2013 · 114 posts · 21 votes
Many people think that individual landlords are pretty stupid and lazy and that they won't check anything...
Just proved a point that was brought up a few days ago about verifying that you are speaking to the actual landlord and not a friend/family member.
My applicant listed her current address and listed the owner and telephone #. Before I even picked up the phone I went to the county auditors web site to check who the owner was. It did not match - not even close. I then went to check court records on her. There were a few, and none of them listed either address she had listed on her app.- that supposedly covered the last 26 years.
Out of curiosity I looked up the "owner" listed on the app. She ("the owner") is currently being evicted herself from another house on the street - and after some digging I was able to determine she is probably the daughter of the applicant.
I'm not even going to justify this with a phone call to tell her she is denied. She can find someone else to con.
Just thought I'd share because I am sure this one little step saved me a lot of headache. I knew something just didn't feel right. Guess my gut instinct was right.
Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 744 votes
12y
I agree to do your due diligence on all tenants, and tenants should also do their due diligence on landlords to make sure the landlord is not in foreclosure, and the landlord is the owner of the property they are renting.
Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
I get people lying to me all the time. For some reason they think I'm one of those landlords who just doesn't care or won't screen. I know there are probably a ton of them out there. For future showings I should put up a big sign that reads "If you're thinking about lying on your application, it's best that you just don't apply." I'd probably get a lot less applications!
Some things I've caught that are lies:
- Owner information that's not the owner (just like you - this is the #1 thing)
- Addresses that are not where they live or lived
- Incorrect birth date
- Incorrect driver's license number
- Stating they've never had an eviction filed and see that they have had multiple evictions
Remember that show "House"? Everyone lies. Especially tenant applicants!
SFR Investor · Hillsboro, OH · Member since 2011 · 18 posts · 1 vote
12y
Yep... I usually call at least one reference but always call the current landlord and verify through the county auditor's website or some other means. I also have the applicant sign the application which states that lying is an automatic disqualifier, and the application fee will be retained for the work put into verifying the application. Adding the application fee cut down on people automatically disqualified (evictions, meth, etc) but surprisingly some people are still more than willing to lie to my face and on the signed application. I'd rather they didn't, I want rent, not application fees, but I also don't want to waste my time on people who won't make the cut.
But be cautious, sometimes I would think a landlord would want to get rid of a bad tenant and give a good reference.
The kicker on this one is that I was able to trace the name she listed as owner even though she varied the spelling of the first name. Turns out this "owner" has just been given their 10 days before the sheriff comes and before marriage (found the marriage record) she used to have the same last name.
She also put a previous address that she claim to live at for 20 years but it was not the right address!
This lady was really friendly and neat in appearance. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover.
Real Estate Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2013 · 114 posts · 21 votes
12y
@Account Closed You are correct that is why I did more investigating before I jumped to conclusions. However, this property was owned by a private individual (according to tax records) not an LLC or other business name and was listed as a residential rental.
Most landlords hide their proprieties behind an LLC, and most tenants might just pay a servicing company and not know who the owner of the home is.
Joe Gore
I wouldn't say they "hide" their properties... more like a business decision and liability decision. Regardless, a tenant should have a contact name and number for a property manager. My tenants know my name and number even though our properties are in an LLC.
Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 744 votes
12y
Luke,
I was pointing out that if a tenant asked are you the owner of the home and is it in your name, and you say no and the tenant say what name is it in you say LLC does not answer the question. Landlords and tenants should be upfront with each other.
I was pointing out that if a tenant asked are you the owner of the home and is it in your name, and you say no and the tenant say what name is it in you say LLC does not answer the question. Landlords and tenants should be upfront with each other.
Joe Gore
Ok. I guess I don't understand, in Ohio we have to provide name (i.e. LLC name) and address (I provide PO box). If someone asked me the name of the owner, I'd provide them the LLC name. After all it is public record. And I agree, Landlords and tenants should be upfront with each other.
Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
12y
Great detective work @Angie W.! I've had applicants say they've always lived with their parents - when they're in their 30s and have kids! I won't rent to anyone without a verifiable rental history. I take pictures of their driver's license. I had one applicant say she and her boyfriend work off the books for her father, and would have him write us a letter verifying their income. Right. I asked for tax returns, and she said the boyfriend has immigration issues and doesn't pay taxes. The final nail in the coffin was the woman saying her father managed apartment complexes for years and she was very familiar with landlord/tenant law. NEXT!
Real Estate Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2013 · 114 posts · 21 votes
12y
@Aly W. That's funny I just had a girl tell me the same thing a couple of days ago. Her Mom would write me a letter stating that she paid her. NOT.
Right now I feel more like a private investigator instead of a landlord!
@Luke M. Everything is public record. In my county it is all online and we are required to file a rental contact listing name, address, title,and phone . If we don't we are fined. It is also my understanding that in Ohio, if the property is owned by an LLC you personally can not evict you HAVE to hire an attorney. You can however take them to small claims for damages.
@Account Closed I can appreciate what you are saying from the tenant perspective. Everyone has to do their due diligence when conducting business with individuals - tenants included. Tenants have the same access to records that I have. They may look up the property, find my name and spend the time researching me if they wish. I have never had anyone ask me for ID and I have never heard of anyone I know being asked for one either. I'm not sure how I would feel about it either.
Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 744 votes
12y
As much fraud going on everyone need to be careful when renting to someone or renting from a home owner. I work both sides of the fence and what I see make the hair on your neck stand up.
Durham, NC · Member since 2012 · 498 posts · 48 votes
12y
Years ago, a retired general from Taiwan bought a restaurant in NYC by cash and later found out that the "seller" was merely a customer of the restaurant.
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 655 votes
12y
Happens all the time. The last applicant I had did the exact same thing, listed her mom as her landlord. Problem was mom was with her to look at the house and her mom have a very very easy to recognize voice and way of talking. I had a little fun throwing her curve ball questions making her come up with lies right on the spot.
I never tell them "I know" so they can clean up their stratagy for the next landlord.
Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 744 votes
12y
Mike,
It is not that Los Angeles is greedy most landlords don't like paying to search records and think everything should be free. Would you rent to someone for free?
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
12y
Good point Angie! Similar issues with approving new LLs with Section 8, shifting checks to a non-owner, now you might better understand the time lag in some areas.
An LLC is just more time, look it up at the state then contact the registered agent then verify a real owner or manager.
I think every question on the app has been fudged or lied about at some point, a few lied throughout the process, that didn't take long. Doesn't happen often but does. :)