AVOID COSTLY EVICTIONS: PROVEN METHODS TO VERIFY TENANT INCOME When screening rental applicants, most landlords focus on credit reports, eviction records, and background checks. While these methods are essential, they do not tell the full story of a tenant’s financial situation. One of the most important and most overlooked steps is verifying tenant income. Why? Because a tenant’s ability to pay rent depends directly on how much money they actually earn. Although a clean credit report is crucial, it doesn’t prove an applicant has the income to cover their rent every month. At the same time, many landlords still rely on documents like pay stubs, which are among the easiest financial records to forge. Online tools make it simple for applicants to generate fake pay stubs that look authentic. Without proper verification, landlords risk accepting a tenant who simply can’t afford the property, which can lead to missed payments, costly evictions, and lost rental income. That’s why income verification is one of the smartest risk-reduction strategies a landlord can use. The American Apartment Owners Association (AAOA) offers several tenant screening solutions that make it easier for property owners and managers to confirm whether applicants truly earn what they claim.
THAT’S WHY INCOME VERIFICATION IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST RISK-REDUCTION STRATEGIES A LANDLORD CAN USE.
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