lying about dogs on application - what to do?

Question

Hi, I'm new to managing our property ourselves.  We were about to accept this couple who said they have one beagle when I checked her public facebook page.  It looks very much like they have 3 dogs - a beagle, and two others that are at least part pit bull.    What should I do?  Pit bulls aren't allowed per our insurance policy.

Mitch Messer · Answer

Hi @Deborah Repaskey. My specific recommendation is to check with their existing landlord and then contact the applicants with your findings and get clarification about the number and breed of dogs.

My general recommendation is for your lease to contain an Accuracy Clause like ours does:

"Management has relied upon the information contained in Resident's application to enter into this Agreement.  Resident warrants that their rental application is true, complete and accurate.  Resident agrees that if he/she has falsified any statement in the rental application, Management has the right to terminate this Agreement immediately and further agrees that Management shall be entitled to retain any performance fee and any prepaid rents as fair and just liquidated damages."

To be clear, I'm not an attorney and I'm not giving you legal advice: Just sharing what we do.

Mark Jones · Answer

@Deborah Repaskey

So just to be clear, you have their app in hand but haven't notified them one way or another and haven't signed anything yet?

You can either investigate further if you want to or just deny them. You probably dodged a bullet. Get a screen shot of the extra dogs and file it.

Thomas S. · Answer

You could try to confirm the dogs, you have their address so why not drop in unexpected and see what they have. Just tell them you always check applicants homes before accepting them.

If you ask about the dogs they will likely lie so your best option is to simply reject their application and find another tenant.

Dana Holland · Answer

@Deborah Repaskey.  I would directly ask her to clarify how many pets they will have at your property.  Tell her you saw on her Facebook page pictures including several dogs.  Tenants should expect that landlords are checking Facebook and other social media sites.  Perhaps there is a chance that the other dogs aren't theirs or they don't have them anymore?  I wouldn't deny without asking first.  If they do say they just have the beagle and you want to accept them, put something in the lease agreement that states that only the 1 beagle is allowed at the property and if additional pets are found it will be grounds to terminate the lease.

lying about dogs on application - what to do?

Most Popular Reply