Before filling in a vacancy, landlords and agents have to go through all the tenant applications. They can’t rent a property to the first person who applies because they might not be good tenants. To avoid further problems, applicants have to go through screening before they are allowed to rent.

Knowing the tenant’s background is included in the tenant screening process. Their income, credit scores, and rental history are some of the things you need to check. It is also better if they could provide references from past landlords. It will give you an idea of how they were as renters. Unfortunately, some people may give fake references to try and trick you into letting them occupy the property. You need to know how to spot the fake ones to avoid recommending the wrong tenants.

Pretend to be a tenant

Tenants will probably ask their friends or relatives to pretend to be their past landlords. They will expect that you would call them, ask about the applicant, and they’ll tell you fake information. But if you call them asking about any available rentals, it would have a different outcome. Real landlords will respond like any other landlord and talk about their vacant properties. However, if the person is only pretending, they will likely become flustered, or they’ll tell you they don’t know what you are saying.

This method will help you, but it is not foolproof. Some might expect this call and still pretend to be a landlord. If you are still unsure, you can ask to look at one of their rental properties. Fake landlords will likely stop at this point.

Social media

Almost everyone has Facebook and Instagram nowadays. They help you connect with your family and friends. You can also use social media to cross-check your applicant’s references. If you see a connection between the tenant and landlord through their social media accounts, they are probably close. Although, it is not a strong indicator that they are fake. You still have to check how they are related to each other through photos and posts.

Double-check phone numbers

The tenant will likely provide their past landlord’s contact information. Some tenants who submitted a fake reference may give you their landlord’s real name but not their number. You can search for the landlord online and check if the applicant gave you the correct digits. If the landlord has a website, it will make it easier for you to verify. However, they might also have several phone numbers, and you should check the inconsistencies.

Dissect their responses

Once you get a hold of their reference person, you should take advantage of it. You should have a list of questions for them, and you can spot a fake based on their replies. Most likely, real landlords will expect your questions and will not be bothered by them. They will answer as much as they can. If the reference is fake, the person you are calling will give vague answers. They will likely not tell you specific details, such as the tenant’s ability to pay on time or if they had issues with them.

You may also watch out for responses that seem too specific. They might give answers that only friends and family will know. However, still consider how some landlords can establish a deep friendship with their tenants.

Ask landlord questions

If someone is pretending to be a landlord, they will not know all the details. By asking questions that only landlords will know, you can spot the fake ones. Ask questions about their rentals, such as property size, number of bedrooms, rental price, etc. You can also ask them about landlord practices about late payments or property damages. A real landlord will know what to say.

These strategies are not a hundred percent effective, but they can still help. Some people will go to great lengths to try and deceive you. If you think something is off about the landlord reference, then go with your gut instinct. You can dig deeper and be more thorough.

There you have it. You can try and use these tips the next time you screen a tenant. If you want to get more applicants, you can sign up for Padleads now. You can post your property listings, and the best part is you can syndicate them to other websites. You’ll have a ton of applicants, but hey, you’re ready.