- Joined
- Oct 22, 2007
- Messages
- 2,798
We have a lovely half-duplex for rent to own in SW Edmonton. I met a couple yesterday who would love to rent the property and enter an option contract as soon as they have the required minimum option payment.
They completed the application in great detail, including volunteering the fact they were being evicted due to complaints about their dog (which wouldn't be an issue in our property). They supplied their credit reports, his employment contract, copies of their ID, etc. Everything looked good on paper. (Although we are still awaiting copies his most recent paystubs and their NOA's, both requirements for our rent to own tenants.)
But 'this ain't my first rodeo,' and I don't blindly rely on calling the phone numbers provided on the application form. (Google can be a landlords best friend.)
By calling the true number of the employer, I learned this person has never been a district manager with the company, and the income he stated on his fake employment contract is substantially more than what the company actually pays.
And by calling the true number of the landlord, I discovered his eviction was due to a huge amount of rental arrears rather than issues with his dogs.
I'm guessing his pre-authorized debit form was fake too.
Moral of the story: there are some very unscrupulous people out there who can create official-looking documents, so do your own research rather than relying solely on what the applicant provides.
Safety net: we always perform civil judgment searches at the Provincial Courthouse to see if tenants have any previous judgments against them. This search reveals evictions the applicant may have neglected to mention.
FYI, their names are Steven K. and Amber S.
They completed the application in great detail, including volunteering the fact they were being evicted due to complaints about their dog (which wouldn't be an issue in our property). They supplied their credit reports, his employment contract, copies of their ID, etc. Everything looked good on paper. (Although we are still awaiting copies his most recent paystubs and their NOA's, both requirements for our rent to own tenants.)
But 'this ain't my first rodeo,' and I don't blindly rely on calling the phone numbers provided on the application form. (Google can be a landlords best friend.)
By calling the true number of the employer, I learned this person has never been a district manager with the company, and the income he stated on his fake employment contract is substantially more than what the company actually pays.
And by calling the true number of the landlord, I discovered his eviction was due to a huge amount of rental arrears rather than issues with his dogs.
I'm guessing his pre-authorized debit form was fake too.
Moral of the story: there are some very unscrupulous people out there who can create official-looking documents, so do your own research rather than relying solely on what the applicant provides.
Safety net: we always perform civil judgment searches at the Provincial Courthouse to see if tenants have any previous judgments against them. This search reveals evictions the applicant may have neglected to mention.
FYI, their names are Steven K. and Amber S.
