Not every applicant is who they appear to be. These seven warning signs can help you spot problematic tenants before they sign a lease—saving you thousands in potential losses.
Inconsistent Application Details
Names that don't match across documents, employment dates that overlap with previous addresses, or income figures that don't add up. These aren't always intentional fraud—but they always warrant follow-up questions.
Reluctance to Provide References
A tenant who can't or won't provide previous landlord references is a significant concern. Even first-time renters should be able to provide personal or professional references. On DMV Housing, tenants with two verified references score 40 points higher.
Pressure to Rush the Process
“I need to move in this weekend” or “Can we skip the background check?”—urgency is sometimes legitimate, but it's also a classic tactic to prevent landlords from completing due diligence. Always take the time you need.
Multiple Recent Moves
Three or more addresses in the past two years can indicate instability, disputes with landlords, or eviction history. Ask directly about the reason for each move. Sometimes there are valid explanations (job changes, family situations), but the pattern is worth investigating.
Unverifiable Employment
If the employer's phone number goes to a personal cell phone, the company doesn't appear in any business directories, or the “HR department” has no record of the applicant—dig deeper. For voucher holders, employment verification is less critical since DCHA covers the majority of rent, but self-reported income should still be consistent.
Eviction Records
DC court records are searchable. A prior eviction doesn't automatically disqualify someone—circumstances matter—but it requires an honest conversation. Ask what happened and what has changed. Under DC's fair housing laws, you cannot use sealed records as a basis for denial.
Voucher About to Expire
Housing choice vouchers have expiration dates. If a tenant's voucher is expiring within 30 days and they haven't started the DCHA inspection process, the timeline may be too tight. Confirm the voucher expiration date and ensure there's enough time for the required HQS inspection.
Voucher-Specific Considerations
When screening Section 8 applicants, remember that DC law prohibits discrimination based on source of income. You cannot reject an applicant solely because they use a housing voucher. However, you can apply the same screening criteria you use for all applicants: rental history, references, and background checks.
DMV Housing Tip
Our tenant profile scores (0–100) are designed to surface the most complete, verified profiles first. Tenants who upload their voucher documentation, provide references, and complete their profile consistently score 70+ and represent the most serious applicants.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Screening criteria must comply with DC fair housing laws. Consult with a qualified attorney before establishing tenant screening policies.