Is a Rental Application All I Need from Tenant Applicants?

By E-Renter Tenant Screening
Posted on November 26, 2008 under Landlord and Tenant FAQs | Be the First to Comment

No, if you want to be sure who you are renting from, you should request both a rental application and photo identification from any tenant you are seriously considering. Unfortunately, many people will apply for rental property and provide false information on an application.

Good forms of photo identification include:

• Current Driver’sLicense
• Instruction Permit
• Other State-Issued Identification Card
• If one of the above isn’t available, get two other documents showing full name and date of birth. It’s best if at least one of the documents has a photo so that you know it is the same person.
• An excellent form of ID is always a passport.

Check Names
If names don’t match between documents, be sure they provide some proof of change, such as a marriage certificate. Be sure to check spelling on all documents, and compare the information with their rental application. If there are differences, request an explanation.