The Cost of a Bad Tenant
Evicting a non-paying tenant costs an average of $3,500 to $10,000 in legal fees, lost rent, and property damage, and can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months depending on your local jurisdiction.
The absolute best defense against an eviction is a relentless, emotionless screening process. Here are the major red flags that should immediately pause an application.
1. The "Need to Move Tomorrow" Rush
When an applicant applies and asks to move in within 48 hours, they are often trying to outrun an impending eviction or a domestic dispute. Stable, financially secure tenants plan their moves 30 to 60 days in advance.
2. Incomplete or "Creative" Applications
A blank field for "Current Landlord Contact" or "Employer Phone Number" is never an accident. If someone cannot fill out a basic application, they will not be capable of following your lease agreement.
The RentKeep Solution: By using a digital application portal via RentKeep, you can mark specific fields as mandatory. The application simply cannot be submitted without the required data, saving you time.
3. The Fake Landlord Reference
It is incredibly common for applicants to list a friend or family member as their previous landlord to secure a glowing reference.
- How to spot it: When you call the number, don't ask, "Did John Smith pay rent on time?" Instead, ask broadly: "Hi, I'm calling about the rental property you own." A real landlord will ask, "Which one?" A friend will immediately say, "Oh yes, John is great!"
- Check public records: Look up the property address on the county assessor's website to verify the actual owner's name matches the reference provided.
4. Offering to Pay Months in Advance
"My credit is terrible, but I have a lot of cash right now. I'll pay you six months upfront."
This is a massive red flag. Often, this cash comes from illegal activities or a temporary windfall. Once month seven hits, you will likely never see another payment, and removing them will be a nightmare. Consistent income is vastly more important than a pile of cash.
5. Arguing About the Background Check Fee
If an applicant complains about a standard $35 to $50 credit and background check fee, they are virtually guaranteeing that they will complain about the rent price, the late fees, and the utility bills. It shows a fundamental lack of respect for standard business procedures.
Standardize Your Process
The Fair Housing Act requires you to treat all applicants equally. The best way to comply with the law while protecting your asset is to create strict minimum criteria (e.g., 650 credit score, 3x rent-to-income ratio, no prior evictions) and apply it ruthlessly using dedicated screening software integrated within RentKeep. Stick to the numbers, and the red flags will disqualify themselves.