Background check unable to verify current address of prospective tenant

Member since 2026 · 10 posts · 0 votes

I have a couple interested in renting my condo. Their rental application says they have stayed for 4 yrs at their most current apartment. I ran their background checks for both. The female's credit check was ok and address was verified. However for the male it says that the provided current address does not match with the consumer file. This is what the Transunion Smartmove report says "The Identity Report could not verify the applicant's Address. It is recommended that you take additional steps to validate the applicant's identity " What should I do? How do I verify his recent address?

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Adam BartomeoBusiness Member

Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

5mo

If he lived at the same address for the past 4 years than the address should match their license.

[email protected]239-339-3969

Bartomeo Property Management4.7150 Reviews

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Patricia Steiner
Real Estate Broker · Hyde Park Tampa, FL · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5mo
Request a bank statement, utility and/or cell phone bill, a lease/rent statement - something that is in his name; you could also request one for the previous year as most of this is available online. This is a common practice but it is one that can allow someone to alter the document (lots of crazy out there). Other: get a report from another credit union, search online. But even more importantly, just tell him that you are unable to verify his address for the time he stated on the application and that you want to give him a chance to correct/clarify that information.
And, this: Kudos to you for actually following up on this discrepancy. It's amazing how many will justify why it is insignificant and move on to find out later that insignificant gets real significant later on. Hope this helps...
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Andy Jhav
OP
Member since 2026 · 10 posts · 0 votes
5mo
Hi Patricia,
I appreciate you taking the time to give me such helpful advice. I'm new and still learning the ropes so trying to be cautious. Would it be okay to call the rental apartment he has listed on this application form to verify he was staying there for past 4 yrs?
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Patrick O'SullivanBusiness Member
Property Manager · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2024 · 527 posts · 201 votes
5mo
Yes, it’s absolutely okay to verify the information directly with the current apartment complex, but be careful about how you do it. Many property managers will only confirm dates of residency if the applicant has signed a release, so you might ask the applicant to provide a written authorization allowing the complex to confirm their residency.

In addition, asking for supporting documents like a recent utility bill, bank statement, or lease in his name is a good idea. If he’s been there for four years, he should be able to provide something that proves it. The key is to combine verification from the landlord or property manager with documentation in his name to make sure the information checks out before moving forward.
[email protected]480-795-7938
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- Richard F.
  Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
  5mo
  Quote from @Patrick O'Sullivan:
  
  Yes, it’s absolutely okay to verify the information directly with the current apartment complex, but be careful about how you do it. Many property managers will only confirm dates of residency if the applicant has signed a release, so you might ask the applicant to provide a written authorization allowing the complex to confirm their residency.
  
  In addition, asking for supporting documents like a recent utility bill, bank statement, or lease in his name is a good idea. If he’s been there for four years, he should be able to provide something that proves it. The key is to combine verification from the landlord or property manager with documentation in his name to make sure the information checks out before moving forward.
  A "release of information" should be a standard element of any application form, not usually a separate document.
  
  Also, many, if not most, legit PM's require requests in writing, with your specific questions. I advise you provide open ended questions, rather than stating info the applicant has provided.
  
  Last point, do not use phone numbers or contact names provided by applicant. Look up the Company, call their public number, and ask for HR or General Manager.
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Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
5mo
If he lived at the same address for the past 4 years than the address should match their license.
[email protected]239-339-3969
Bartomeo Property Management4.7150 Reviews
Website View Page
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Andy Jhav
OP
Member since 2026 · 10 posts · 0 votes
5mo
Thank you all for your help in this matter. The Rental Application form already includes a clause that says the applicant gives permission to contact current/ previous landlords and employers for verifying information, so I have contacted the previous landlord.
He provided me a credit card statement and a copy of his internet bill which includes his name and the said address. Is that enough as proof of current address?

Typically what credit score do you prefer when making a decision about prospective tenants?

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- Patrick O'SullivanBusiness Member
  Property Manager · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2024 · 527 posts · 201 votes
  5mo
  Quote from @Andy Jhav:
  
  Thank you all for your help in this matter. The Rental Application form already includes a clause that says the applicant gives permission to contact current/ previous landlords and employers for verifying information, so I have contacted the previous landlord.
  He provided me a credit card statement and a copy of his internet bill which includes his name and the said address. Is that enough as proof of current address?
  
  Typically what credit score do you prefer when making a decision about prospective tenants?
  
  We do 550.
  [email protected]480-795-7938
  get MULTIfamily Property Management4.7220 Reviews
  Website View Page
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- Andy Jhav
  OP
  Member since 2026 · 10 posts · 0 votes
  5mo
  
  We do 550.
  
  Thank you Patrick.
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- John Clark
  Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  5mo
  Quote from @Andy Jhav:
  
  Thank you all for your help in this matter. The Rental Application form already includes a clause that says the applicant gives permission to contact current/ previous landlords and employers for verifying information, so I have contacted the previous landlord.
  He provided me a credit card statement and a copy of his internet bill which includes his name and the said address. Is that enough as proof of current address?
  
  Typically what credit score do you prefer when making a decision about prospective tenants?
  
  Demand to see a current valid driver’s license (original, not photocopy), as was mentioned before. Don’t touch anyone with a credit score below 650 if not barred by laws. If he says he has no credit history because she pays the bills, then where’s his money going? Get proof of that.
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
5mo
@Andy Jhav, here is a chart of the relative risk for a particular FICO score. In practice, the number is largely irrelevant. You need to study the actual credit report to see what factors resulted in the number.
That is telling you that over a 24 month period, with a score of 550, there are 8 to 1 odds,
or basically it is 33% likely that the person will become delinquent within that period.
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Andy Jhav
OP
Member since 2026 · 10 posts · 0 votes
5mo
This is very helpful! Thank you so much @Richard F.
Quote from :

, here is a chart of the relative risk for a particular FICO score. In practice, the number is largely irrelevant. You need to study the actual credit report to see what factors resulted in the number.
That is telling you that over a 24 month period, with a score of 550, there are 8 to 1 odds,
or basically it is 33% likely that the person will become delinquent within that period.

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Travis TimmonsPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Ellsworth, ME · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
5mo
Don't be afraid to deny applicants and trust your gut (while being compliant with local and state laws). Vacancy isn't great, but being stuck with a bad tenant is far, far worse. I'm a fan of getting rents slightly below the market rate to ensure that I get quality tenants (700+ credit score, clean history). You do have to be honest with yourself as it relates to the quality of the property and neighborhood. A class tenants do not rent in D class areas, for example.
Having good tenants makes your life so much easier. Play the long game.
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