Tenant who I'm trying to evict is possibly a totally different person.

Tenant who I'm trying to evict is possibly a totally different person.

Member since 2023 · 18 posts · 9 votes

Hello BP members, it has come to my attention that the tenant who I'm trying to evict for non-payment is possibly a totally different person. How I found out is during my attempt to offer a solution on paying rent using money order since the tenant had their ACH bounced twice on Apartments.com. I offered a temporary solution of asking to have rent Zelle'd to me, but upon clicking on the tenant's Zelle profile through my bank app, it was listed under a totally different person's name. I decided to dig farther, I went back and pulled up their report along with the provided bank statement and one of the account which was listed under a business name I inputted into INBiz and the registered agent for the business belong to the same name listed on the Zelle profile and the address on the bank statement also matched the registered business address. The lease that I had the tenant sign is to the tenant who applied. I feel so stupid for missing this detail when I screened the tenant. I don't know what I should do, since the tenant who I'm trying to evict may not be who they are.

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Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
1y

Just start eviction and the order will say any and all occupants. You’re in Indiana it should all be pretty fast. 

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  • Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    Just start eviction and the order will say any and all occupants. You’re in Indiana it should all be pretty fast. 

    • Member since 2023 · 18 posts · 9 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Henry Lazerow:

      Just start eviction and the order will say any and all occupants. You’re in Indiana it should all be pretty fast. 


       That's my plan, already posted the 10 day notice on the 13th, now I just need to wait it out, this will be my very first time having to evict someone. So I hope the process goes smoothly.

  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    1y

    I would imagine that this will all 'come out in the wash', as they say. Once they get into court this should come right up, and they will not be looking good.

    Interesting world isn't it? Don't beat yourself up too badly, a lot of us wouldn't have caught that. I guess you can't be too careful nowadays, eh?

  • Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 62 votes
    1y

    Don’t feel bad—this can happen to anyone. Here’s what I’d do:

    1. Verify Identity: Ask for the tenant’s ID to confirm their name matches the lease. If not, you could have an identity issue.

    2. Document Everything: Keep records of all communications and the evidence you’ve found (Zelle name, business info, etc.).

    3. Contact the Tenant: Reach out to clarify the discrepancy. It could be a misunderstanding or misrepresentation.

    4. Consult an Attorney: Given the potential legal issues, consult with a real estate attorney for guidance.

    5. Proceed with Eviction: If things don’t resolve, continue with the eviction, but be ready to present your evidence in court.

    Stay organized, and good luck!

  • Ryan RomingerBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 340 posts · 144 votes
    1y

    That’s a tough situation, but don’t beat yourself up—these things happen. Since the lease is with the person who applied, you may have grounds for a fraudulent application or unauthorized occupancy claim. I’d recommend consulting a local attorney ASAP to ensure your eviction follows the correct legal path, especially if the actual occupant isn’t the named tenant. In the meantime, document everything and avoid direct confrontations. You’re already doing the right thing by digging into this!

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    1y

    Make the eviction notice for the tenant and all occupants-then it doesn't matter if the person isn't who they said they are.

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