Identity & Application Verification
1
Require a visual ID check: Collect a color copy of a valid, non-expired government-issued ID and cross-reference the photo with the applicant in person.
2
Mandate a fully completed application: Reject any application with blank spaces, especially regarding previous addresses or employment gaps.
3
Conduct a basic digital footprint audit: Quickly search the applicant's name and email on search engines to ensure it matches the persona on their application.
Income & Employment Verification
4
Demand 60 days of recent pay stubs: Scrutinize the documents for misaligned fonts, missing tax deductions, or perfectly round numbers—common signs of fake, online-generated pay stubs.
5
Verify bank deposits: Request 60 days of bank statements and cross-check that the net income deposited exactly matches the net income on the provided pay stubs.
6
Call the employer directly: Do not use the phone number provided on the application. Look up the company online, call the main HR line, and verify active employment and salary.
7
Calculate the Income-to-Rent Ratio: Ensure the applicant's gross monthly income is at least 3 times the monthly rent amount.
Credit & Financial Health
8
Run a full credit report: Look beyond just the final score to see the actual payment history and active trade lines.
9
Calculate Debt-to-Income (DTI): High auto loans or maxed-out credit cards can prevent a tenant from paying rent, even if they make 3x the income.
10
Check for utility collections: Past-due balances with BGE or local water departments are a major red flag for future rent defaults.
Rental History & Eviction Sweeps
11
Call the current landlord: Ask if the tenant pays on time, but be cautious—a landlord might lie just to get a bad tenant to move out.
12
Call the previous landlord: This is your most valuable reference. They have no incentive to lie because the tenant has already moved out.
13
Run a nationwide eviction search: Do not just check Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Problem tenants often cross state lines to find DIY landlords who don't run national checks.
14
Cross-reference address history: Match the addresses listed on the credit report with the rental history on the application to catch hidden evictions.
Legal Compliance
15
Ensure Fair Housing Compliance: Document exactly why you accept or reject every single applicant using the exact same criteria to protect yourself from costly Maryland Fair Housing lawsuits.
