Finding the right tenant is the foundation of a successful rental experience. But not all applicants are created equal, and missing warning signs can cost you thousands in lost rent, property damage, and legal headaches. Here are five red flags every landlord should watch for in applications, and why partnering with a professional like Flat Fee Landlord is the smart move to avoid these pitfalls.
1. Incomplete or Inconsistent Information
A seemingly simple application form can reveal major issues when the details are half-filled or inconsistent. When applicants leave blank sections, give vague responses, or their story doesn’t add up, it’s often a signal that they’re trying to hide something (things like unstable employment, prior issues with landlords, or undisclosed financial problems).
Rental screening guides list incomplete or inaccurate applications as one of the most common red flags. For example, missing employer information, contradictory address histories, or no previous landlord contacts are strong warning signs.
If you’re not diligent here, you risk moving forward with someone who might not be fully honest or fully capable of meeting their obligations.
2. Low Credit Score or Unverifiable Income
Financial stability is a key predictor of a tenant’s ability to pay rent on time and reliably. Applicants who show a very low credit score (below 620 by Flat Fee Landlord standards) or provide unverifiable or inconsistent income evidence present elevated risk.
Data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) indicates that tenant screening reports regularly highlight eviction histories, unpaid rent collections, and other adverse consumer-finance markers.
When income documents are suspicious (for example, fake pay stubs or missing employer verification), you’re essentially speculating on future performance. At Flat Fee Landlord, we require proof of income (often 2-3× the rent), and we also verify stability through job history, employer references, and bank statements.
3. Eviction or Skipped Lease History
Perhaps the most serious red flag of all is an applicant with a record of eviction filings or skipped lease history. According to USICH, more than 3.6 million eviction cases are filed annually in the U.S., affecting about six to nine percent of renting households per year.
For a landlord, an applicant with prior eviction or multiple lease terminations is a red flag: it suggests a pattern of broken obligations or unstable living arrangements. Approving such an applicant without rigorous oversight is a gamble with your rental income and property.
4. Criminal Background
Safety and community risk are key factors in tenant selection. Applicants who have recent or serious criminal offenses (such as sexual offenses, violence, or drug distribution) pose extra risk to your property, the well-being of neighboring tenants, and your reputation as a landlord.
Research into landlord attitudes shows that many property managers automatically consider certain offenses disqualifying. While screening is a vital tool, remember to also comply with fair housing laws and consider whether the offense presents a direct risk to your property or tenants.
5. Evasive Communication or Rushed Move-In Requests
Sometimes the red flag is not what the applicant says, but how they act. Applicants who avoid questions, refuse to provide full documentation, or push for an urgent move-in without due process often raise immediate concerns. Another warning sign: offers to prepay large amounts (“first and last month’s rent, plus security”), or claims of “housing emergency” without verifiable context.
The National Apartment Association notes that 93.3% of respondents in their 2024 NAA and NMHC Pulse Survey reported experiencing fraud during the prior 12 months.
If you are not screening carefully, you may agree to a lease with someone misrepresenting their identity, income, or history, and you’ll be stuck with the consequences.
Tenant screening is high-stakes. The time and cost of selecting the wrong tenant include missed rent, eviction proceedings, property damage, vacant months, which can far exceed the fee of using an experienced management firm. A professional partner like Flat Fee Landlord offers:
Comprehensive background, credit, and eviction checks
Employment and income verification
Landlord references and document validation
Strict adherence to Fair Housing laws and screening best-practices
When it comes to rental applications, the red flags are predictive. Incomplete information, unverifiable income, eviction history, criminal backgrounds, and evasive behavior all point toward higher risk and greater cost. As a rental property owner or investor, partnering with Flat Fee Landlord ensures you’re not going it alone or making unnecessary mistakes. We provide rigorous screening, best practices, and tenant-selection discipline so you can focus on your investment and minimize surprises.
Ready to protect your rental and your bottom line? Contact Flat Fee Landlord today and let us handle the heavy lifting of tenant screening, so your investment can grow while you remain worry-free.
