Tenant Management Essentials
Identifying problematic tenants before they move in is far easier than dealing with issues after the lease is signed. Here are 10 red flags to watch for during the screening process.
1. Pressure to skip the screening process. Legitimate tenants have no reason to rush you past a credit check or reference call. 'I'll pay first and last today if you skip the credit check' is a major warning sign.
Screening and Placement
2. Unverifiable references. If you can't reach a previous landlord, or the reference seems to be a friend posing as a landlord, that's concerning. Always verify references independently — don't just use contact info the applicant provides.
3. Income that doesn't add up. If claimed income is inconsistent with employment documents, or if a 'self-employed' applicant can't produce any financial records, proceed with extreme caution.
Retaining Quality Tenants
4. History of frequent moves. Moving every 6-12 months can indicate rental history problems. Ask why — sometimes it's legitimate (job changes, family growth), but multiple recent moves warrant extra scrutiny.
5. Criminal history involving violence or property damage. While you can't automatically refuse based on criminal history, offences directly relevant to the tenancy (property damage, drug trafficking at a prior rental) can be considered.
6. Requesting to skip first and last month's deposit. The Ontario standard is first and last month's rent as a deposit. A tenant unable to provide this may have cash flow problems.
7. Bad credit with a vague explanation. Low credit with no plausible explanation for what caused it and how it's been addressed is concerning. Medical bills or a one-time job loss are understandable; chronic missed payments are not.
8. Overly persistent or aggressive inquiries. Tenants who call multiple times a day, show up unannounced, or pressure you for a decision are likely to be difficult tenants.
9. Inconsistencies in the application. Different addresses on ID vs. stated current address, inconsistent employer info, or dates that don't line up deserve follow-up.
10. Unwillingness to sign a standard lease. If a prospective tenant objects to standard Ontario Standard Lease terms without legitimate reason, that's a warning sign.
When in doubt, trust your instincts — but base your decision on objective, legally permissible criteria. D&D Property Management screens all applicants thoroughly so our clients don't face these issues.
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