Top 5 Mistakes Landlords Make When Choosing Tenants

A strong screening process protects your property, your income, and your sanity. In this post, we’ll break down the top 5 mistakes landlords make when choosing tenants, explain why they happen, and show you how to avoid them with fast, reliable tenant screening tools.

1) Skipping a Full Background Check

Mistake: Relying only on gut instinct or a quick conversation.

Many landlords approve tenants based solely on first impressions. While instincts matter, they should never replace facts. A tenant with a pleasant personality may still have a history of missed rent payments, evictions, or legal disputes.

Why it’s a problem: Without a complete background check, you risk renting to someone who is financially unstable or prone to breaking lease agreements — leading to unpaid rent, repairs, or even eviction proceedings.

Solution: Always run a comprehensive background check — including credit, criminal, and eviction history — before signing the lease.
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2) Not Verifying Income and Employment

Mistake: Taking an applicant’s word for it when they say they can afford the rent.

Why it’s a problem: A tenant might exaggerate earnings or have unstable employment. Even with good intentions, inconsistent income makes it hard to keep up with rent.

Solution: Require proof of income such as recent pay stubs, W‑2s, or bank statements. For self‑employed tenants, request the last two years of tax returns. As a rule of thumb, look for income that’s at least 3× the monthly rent.

3) Ignoring Rental History

Mistake: Skipping calls to previous landlords.

Why it’s a problem: Past behavior often predicts future behavior. Late payments, broken rules, or property damage are all red flags that can repeat.

Solution: Contact at least two prior landlords (not just the current one). Ask:

• Did they pay rent on time?
• Did they follow lease terms?
• Were there complaints or damage?
• Would you rent to them again?

4) Failing to Follow Fair Housing Laws

Mistake: Using inconsistent screening criteria or asking illegal questions.

Why it’s a problem: Violating the Fair Housing Act can lead to lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. Federal law protects against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. States and cities may add more protections.

Solution: Learn and follow federal, state, and local fair housing laws. Apply the same written criteria to all applicants and document your process. Consistency is your best protection.

5) Rushing the Screening Process

Mistake: Accepting the first applicant just to fill a vacancy quickly.

Why it’s a problem: A vacant unit can feel like lost money, but a problem tenant can cost far more in repairs, unpaid rent, and eviction expenses.

Solution: Be patient and stick to your criteria. Waiting a couple of extra weeks for a qualified tenant is better than months of stress and expense.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tenant is about more than filling a vacancy — it’s about protecting your property and ensuring steady income. Avoiding these common mistakes dramatically improves your chances of finding reliable, responsible renters.

Next step: Don’t leave tenant selection to chance. Get instant, secure, and comprehensive reports with
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No monthly fees, no setup costs — just the information you need to make the right choice.