Bizarre Background Checks: Unbelievable Things Tenants Tried to Hide (and Failed At)
The “World’s Best Tenant” Resume (According to Himself)
Every landlord dreams of finding the perfect tenant – the one who pays on time, keeps the place spotless, and never causes any trouble. One applicant, let’s call him “Mr. Perfection,” clearly understood the assignment. His resume was…ambitious. He claimed to have personally invented a self-cleaning toilet (no patent number provided, of course), negotiated world peace (details were vague), and trained a colony of squirrels to perform household chores.
The landlord, initially amused, decided to dig a little deeper. A quick Google search of Mr. Perfection’s name revealed nothing about self-cleaning toilets or international diplomacy. Instead, it led to a local news article about a series of unpaid parking tickets and a brief stint as a… professional dog walker. The squirrels remained unconfirmed.
The Moral of the Story?
Exaggeration is one thing, but claiming to be a world leader when your biggest accomplishment is untangling leashes is a recipe for disaster. Keep your resume honest (or at least plausible!).
The Case of the Fake Reference (and the Very Real Mother)
References are a crucial part of the tenant screening process. They offer valuable insights into an applicant’s character and rental history. One applicant, let’s call her Sarah, provided a glowing reference from her “previous landlord,” a Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson raved about Sarah’s cleanliness, responsibility, and overall tenant perfection.
However, something felt off to the property manager. Mr. Thompson’s phone number seemed a little too similar to Sarah’s. So, the property manager called again, this time disguising her voice. And guess who answered? Sarah’s very proud (and very confused) mother, who accidentally confirmed that Sarah had been living at home the entire time.
Awkward Family Dinner, Anyone?
Don’t use your family as fake references. Landlords are more perceptive than you think, and your mother will likely spill the beans (sorry, Mom!).
The Criminal Record That Wasn’t (Until It Was)
Background checks are designed to uncover criminal history. One applicant, let’s call him Dave, sailed through the initial check with flying colors. He had a squeaky-clean record – or so it seemed. However, the landlord had a hunch. Dave just seemed a little too eager to emphasize his good character.
The landlord decided to run a more comprehensive background check, including a search of aliases. Lo and behold, “David” had a less-than-stellar past under the name “Devon.” Turns out, Devon had a string of minor offenses and a penchant for skipping town before rent was due.
The Power of the Alias
Trying to hide your past with an alias is a risky gamble. Landlords can and often do use advanced tools to uncover hidden identities.
The “Traveling Salesman” (Who Never Left Town)
Proof of income is essential to ensure tenants can afford the rent. One applicant, let’s call him Tom, presented pay stubs from a reputable company, claiming to be a traveling salesman with a lucrative salary. The pay stubs looked legitimate, but the landlord had a nagging suspicion.
A quick Google Maps search revealed the company Tom claimed to work for was located… two blocks away from the apartment building. A casual conversation with the barista at the local coffee shop confirmed that Tom frequented the shop every day, always in his pajamas. Traveling salesman? Not exactly.
The Pajama-Clad Salesman
Fake pay stubs are easily detectable. And claiming to be a traveling salesman when you’re clearly a homebody is just asking for trouble. Authenticity is key!
The Pet-Free Promise (and the Hidden Menagerie)
Many landlords have strict pet policies. One applicant, let’s call her Brenda, signed a lease agreeing to a no-pet policy. However, a few weeks after moving in, the neighbors started complaining about strange noises coming from her apartment – squawking, chirping, and the occasional meow.
The landlord, armed with a maintenance request to “fix a leaky faucet,” entered Brenda’s apartment. What he found was not a leaky faucet, but a full-blown menagerie: two parrots, a cat, and a hamster (who, to be fair, was relatively quiet). Brenda claimed they were all “emotional support animals,” but lacked the necessary documentation.
The Emotional Support Animal Exception (and Its Limits)
While emotional support animals are often protected by law, you need the proper documentation to prove their status. Don’t try to sneak in a zoo without the paperwork!
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