Potential tenant doesn't want us to call HR

Raleigh, North Carolina
Tenant Screening
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Potential tenant doesn't want us to call HR

Jeff CalcaterraPro Member
Contractor · Chapel Hill, NC · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 3 votes

We have a potential tenant new to the area who has gone through a paid background check, signed a background check authorization form, sent us a LinkedIn profile, sent an offer letter and says he is willing to send us paycheck stubs, but says he doesn't want us to call HR to verify employment because he is supposed to have found housing already. What could be going on here? Is all of the other stuff phony?

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Jaron WallingPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
1y

You either have verified income and meet the other requirements, or don't. Red flag. 

If you're this far along I'd call the employer anyways. 

Make sure it's legit by asking a question a buddy couldn't answer quickly. Call a different number you found online associated with the same company, etc. If it's not a real job... next.

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  • Jaron WallingPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y

    You either have verified income and meet the other requirements, or don't. Red flag. 

    If you're this far along I'd call the employer anyways. 

    Make sure it's legit by asking a question a buddy couldn't answer quickly. Call a different number you found online associated with the same company, etc. If it's not a real job... next.

    2Reply
  • Ken M.
    Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jeff Calcaterra:

    We have a potential tenant new to the area who has gone through a paid background check, signed a background check authorization form, sent us a LinkedIn profile, sent an offer letter and says he is willing to send us paycheck stubs, but says he doesn't want us to call HR to verify employment because he is supposed to have found housing already. What could be going on here? Is all of the other stuff phony?

    Interesting, since when did it become HRs problem (or legal right) to determine that "he is supposed to have found housing already".
    Very funny.


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

    I find that hard to believe, but you can always call HR and simply say you are trying to confirm if X works there and not say why you need to know.

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jeff Calcaterra:

    We have a potential tenant new to the area who has gone through a paid background check, signed a background check authorization form, sent us a LinkedIn profile, sent an offer letter and says he is willing to send us paycheck stubs, but says he doesn't want us to call HR to verify employment because he is supposed to have found housing already. What could be going on here? Is all of the other stuff phony?


    I've never heard of this.

    I suspect he's using fraudulent documentation.

    Stick to your process. If he won't let you call HR, then deny his application and move on.

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  • Shawn AckermanPro Member
    Real Estate Entrepreneur · Mid West, East Coast · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    @Jeff Calcaterra Trust but verify! if that is what you do for all other applicants then this case should be no different.  When you start making exceptions you are no longer following your process. stick to the script.

    All the best!

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  • Jorge Caceres
    Member since 2018 · 62 posts · 37 votes
    1y

    I agree with everyone else—this is a huge red flag. Social engineering is everywhere, and some people are really good at making you believe what they want you to believe. Be careful!

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jeff Calcaterra:

    Update?


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  • Jeff CalcaterraPro Member
    OP
    Contractor · Chapel Hill, NC · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 3 votes
    1y
    Update: We turned him down and moved on to the next candidate.

    Another possibility is that maybe he was working remotely in another state or country and didn't want someone calling from North Carolina when he's supposed to be somewhere else. But either way, we didn't trust him as a renter and we moved on.

    Thanks for the advice!
    1Reply
  • Jaron WallingPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jeff Calcaterra:
    Update: We turned him down and moved on to the next candidate.

    Another possibility is that maybe he was working remotely in another state or country and didn't want someone calling from North Carolina when he's supposed to be somewhere else. But either way, we didn't trust him as a renter and we moved on.

    Thanks for the advice!

     Smart move. It was a red flag in my book. I would have done the same. 

    0Reply
  • Andrew Kubik
    Property Manager · Nashville, TN · Member since 2025 · 66 posts · 35 votes
    1y

    Hi Jeff,

    It’s good that the applicant provided an offer letter, background check, LinkedIn profile, and pay stubs, but their reluctance to let you verify employment is a red flag. Here’s what could be going on:

    ✔ Legitimate Concern – Some tenants worry that HR inquiries might raise red flags with their employer, especially if they’re still in a probationary period.
    ⚠ Fabricated Offer Letter or Pay Stubs – Unfortunately, fake employment documents are common, and verification through HR is one of the best ways to confirm legitimacy.
    ⚠ Unstable Employment – They may have lost the job or never actually started, making verification impossible.
    ⚠ Other Issues – They could be hiding something (evictions, unpaid rent history, or other financial instability).

    What You Can Do:

    ✔ Ask for the official employment verification letter – Many HR departments provide standard verification letters upon request.
    ✔ Verify pay stubs – Cross-check them with bank statements to confirm deposits match.
    ✔ Call the employer directly – If HR is off-limits, ask for a manager’s contact instead.
    ✔ Stick to a Consistent Screening Process – Fair Housing laws require uniform screening criteria, so making an exception for one applicant could lead to discrimination claims. Treat all applicants the same to stay compliant and avoid legal risk.
    ✔ Trust Your Screening Process – If they refuse all verification methods, consider it a dealbreaker. Employment is a key factor in tenant approval, and a good tenant should understand that.

    🔹 Final Thought: If a tenant is already pushing back on basic screening, it’s often a sign of future issues. Stick to your standard screening policies and don’t feel pressured to bend your criteria.

    1Reply
  • Ashley C.
    International · Member since 2023 · 120 posts · 20 votes
    1y

    Sounds like either some of the information provided may have been exaggerated or changed, or possibly you could have been dealing with an identity theft situation as well. Good idea to have moved on to the next candidate. That's why these screening processes exist, if anything ever comes up like this and you get that red flag, and not everything aligns, if you're getting those red flags this early on, imagine what will happen when they are Planted into the home? Then you are totally screwed. And you're going through the eviction process and kicking yourself, wishing that you would have listened to those red flags in the beginning.

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  • Corby GoadeBusiness Member
    Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    If he's lying to his boss, what makes you think he'll be honest with you? 

    Hard pass. 

    0Reply
  • Jake KnightPro Member
    Property Manager · Indianapolis · Member since 2017 · 303 posts · 146 votes
    1y

    Huge red flag, stick to your process.

    0Reply
  • Carlos Hennings
    Lancaster, NY · Member since 2021 · 92 posts · 53 votes
    1y

    Trust your gut—when a tenant is hesitant about employment verification, it’s worth digging deeper. A signed offer letter and LinkedIn profile are not proof of income, and pay stubs can easily be faked with online generators. If everything checks out, why not verify?

    Instead of relying on documents that can be manipulated, consider using an income verification service that pulls actual bank deposit history. This gives you a clear, tamper-proof view of their real earnings over the past 12 months, showing recurring vs. non-recurring deposits, average balances, and overall financial stability. If the applicant is truly employed, there shouldn’t be a reason to avoid verification.

    A tenant who resists standard verification steps could be hiding something—whether it’s unstable income, job misrepresentation, or even identity fraud. A little extra screening now can save you from a major issue later.

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