How do you verify ID?

Question

We just hosted a wonderful tenant from Furnished Finder. She submitted her credit/background check and all payments via Keycheck. I never met her as the key was exchanged via lockbox. But it did occur to me that a totally different person could have been in my house than the one I approved. How do you verify that the person you issued a lease to is the person who actually moves in? Do you check ID somehow or just assume the risk since it's probably pretty minimal?

Scott Mac · Answer

See her with your eyes, and ask her to hold up her drivers licence to the camera while inside the house.

On the same call you might want to talk to her about changing the furnace filters regularly to prevent damage to the furnace (sometimes in the all the commotion of moving they forget).

Walk her over to the filter door and have her open it on camera, so she knows how--and tell her to never run the furnace with no filter.

(Two birds with one stone)

Good Luck!

Shannon Strickland · Answer

I use RentRedi, and they always have applicants take a selfie with their ID when signing anything, and RR includes it at the end of each signed document.

Chris Seveney · Answer

We use a property manager to do this. If not, we get them on zoom to confirm identity.

Jamie Banks · Answer

Yes. I use Owner Rez and guests automatically get a link when they book through any of the OTAs to upload their IDs and sign the rental agreement.

Paul Meyer · Answer

Do you guys still collect ID's even if its a 1 night stay? I'm doing it but it would be much simpler if the hosting site already had this to provide to hosts once its booked.

Zachary Deal · Answer

I think collecting a photo ID is a very reasonable request for any lease and just ensuring the lease matches the ID name/Key Check background report would be sufficient

Israel Ngaji · Answer

This way, you can match the information provided with the person who actually moves in. It's an extra step that can give you more peace of mind. While it's true that there's always a small chance of someone sneaking in with a fake ID, it's important to remember that using IDs, like an Oregon fake ID can also be helpful but may have its consequences if not used right.

Israel Ngaji · Answer

It's always better to be safe than sorry, right? One way to minimize the risk is by requesting a copy of their ID, like a driver's license or passport, before finalizing the lease.

Joey Banasihan · Answer

I understand the concern but since they went through the background checks, made all payments, and you had been in communication with them via cell phone/email, the likelihood of it being another person is low. Unless someone is willing to go through great lengths to get another person or friend into a space?  If you want an extra layer of protection, you can definitely have them submit a photocopy or picture of their ID after their lease signing, and maybe also state something along those lines in the lease as well.  This is a good question and always good to have layers of protection for sure.

Michael Smythe · Answer

There's risk in everything regarding rentals.

Goal is to EFFICIENTLY minimize the risk.

Instead of exchanging key via lockbox, you could use a keypad system tied into verifying the geo-location of the cell phone used to register/approve, that they are at the property when they are given the access code.

How do you verify ID?

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