Tenant prior address history, not matching application info?!

[Nancy L.]

I'm renting an apartment in an area where bad credit applications are typical. Got an applicant who presents professionally and has a good income. Was strongly considering the app, but did a complete background check through MyRental.com. This is my first time checking anything but credit. The service provided a previous address history with dates, and is showing 4 addresses in the past 3 yrs that were not listed on the application. (This is in addition to the two addresses that were listed on the application.) Credit report shows some of these same additional addresses.

Any idea if these histories are accurate? Is it possible for them to be coming up because a separated spouse lived? Any suggestions on what to do with this info?

I looked up all 4 addresses, all are small multi-families, like the one I'm renting. I was only able to get a phone number for one, and no one is answering that line.

[Marcia Maynard]

Originally posted by @Nancy L.:

Actually two of the addresses showing on the report have the same start date, so that doesn't make much sense either. I am going to ask the applicant, just don't know that this will get me any more definite info than I have now.

I think you are doing the right thing. Be cautious and verify. Go to the source, the tenant. There could be a logical reason. Credit reports often have inaccuracies. We check the most recent five years of residency. If I am having difficulty verifying something, I ask the tenant to help me connect with the right person. Then I reach that person by my own means, not only with a telephone number the tenant happens to provide. If I feel confident I have enough information to offer to rent, but can't verify everything, I may ask for additional security deposit to cover my risk.