Pre-Screening: When prospects supply different names and emails?

Question

I just set up a pre-screening process for my first rental property and listed through Zillow manager. After prospects initiate contact through Zillow, I forward a contact form to them, getting their full name, phone number, and address (run google check, see if address pops on any news websites, so forth)...

I received an inquiry from one prospect and while the same phone number was entered thru both the Zillow inquiry and my pre-screening contact form, she used different names and different email address on each. Example:

• Zillow: Mary Flaherty, fmary123 at gmail
• My soft app: Barbara Flaherty, bflaherty at gmail

Pre-screening methods are to check for red flags ASAP however, if I'm personally wary of giving out my own contact info online, I have aliases for that purpose as well... So this seems normal to me...

I'm sure many landlords have come across this... Should this be a glaring red flag or should I proceed w/ scheduling a call for additional screening? Is this the sign of a "time-waster"? Have any of you had tenants that did this but turned out to be okay tenants?

Grant Rothenburger · Answer

Account Closed This wouldn't stop me from a call and ask what's with the inconsistency.

Account Closed · Answer

@Grant Rothenburger Gotcha. I sent an email, asking for her real name. Next time, I’ll just reserve that question for the first phone call.

Account Closed · Answer

Account Closed, great points.

Yes - email aliases are super common. I probably shouldn't be concerned.

I've received either lack-of or very delayed responses from prospects and have "filtered" them into a "do not follow up with" list.

Thanks for your input!

Marcia Maynard · Answer

An Inquiry is different from an Application to Rent. When the tenant applies to rent, I would expect to see her legal name and her official contact details on the application. Until then, I would simply reply to her inquiry in the manner you normally do. Schedule the call for additional screening and during the screening ask her about the two different names. Listen to what she tells you. There is likely a logical reason.

As you know, applicants must use their legal name on official documents such as an Application to Rent and on legal contracts, such as the Lease/Rental Agreement. Let prospective renters know you require valid government issued photo ID. Check that at the time they submit their application.

Denise G. · Answer

her name sounds irish and i know some old school irish who uses two names ( one is the confirmation name).  i also have 6 email addresses and two different last names, and even first names.  i would ask her which name matches her federal id and social security #

Ray Harrell · Answer

This person is applying for, essentially, credit. To me this is fraud and would disqualify the tenant immediately. If it was just the email that would be one thing, but not using a real name is another. UNLESS one is her formal name and one is her preferred name. But on an application for credit her real name should be used. Did she provide a social?

Account Closed · Answer

@Dave Rav I do see what you mean!

@Marcia Maynard Yes - I could have waited to ask about her name on the first phone call and listen to her explain the reason for the alias. Thank you!

Account Closed · Answer

Thank you, @Denise G.!

"Flaherty" isn't her real name - I made it up as an example.

I sent her an email, asking for real name, but I should have phrased it the way that you did.

Next time!  :)

Account Closed · Answer

@Ray Harrell Makes sense. Thank you!

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks, @Ray Harrell

So far, she's only filled out contact or "request for information" forms...

I received first contact from her thru Zillow and received additional information (address) from her when I forwarded her a longer contact information form.

Each submission she sent shows the same phone number but different names and different email addresses. So right now, we're at a somewhat "unofficial" part of the application process. No "sensitive" information has been received yet, such as SS# or DOB... except for her address... And only 1 of the contact forms she's used so far asks for her address.

I don't know which is her real full name. But the same surname was entered on both so I'm guessing that's at least real...

Pre-Screening: When prospects supply different names and emails?

Most Popular Reply