An Easy-to-Avoid Leasing Mistakes

A rental application is a powerful tool for owners and property managers. It contains all the information necessary to screen a tenant and to manage the landlord-tenant relationship.

But this tool is only as good as the information provided. That’s why its crucial that property management and owners verify that information, starting with the very first question — the tenant’s name.

Without a tenant’s accurate and full legal name, a property manager or owner can face difficulty:

Running an accurate tenant background check;
Enforcing the lease agreement;
Obtaining an eviction order; and,
Collecting a judgment.

What seems like the easiest question to answer is also the easiest to fake.

Owners and property managers can minimize income loss by taking some simple precautions:

Ask for the applicant’s name, and the name of any proposed occupants, when the individual first calls about the property. Ask for the proper spelling at that time.

Meet with the applicant prior to the property tour, and view a photo ID. Unless your local law prohibits it, make a copy of the ID. Take a moment to review the ID, to determine if the name is the same as provided on the phone, if the photo appears to match the person, and if the birthdate or other information realistically matches that person.

Make sure the rental application has enough room for the full names of all applicants. Encourage the applicants to use first, middle and last names. Ask if the tenant has used other names when obtaining credit.

Check the signature on the rental application and watch for discrepancies.

Watch for alias names not revealed on the rental application, along with other discrepancies on the credit report and other tenant background reports.

Use the full name on the lease agreement, and check the tenant’s signature to make sure it matches.

A little extra effort in verifying the applicant’s identity and keeping the name consistent throughout the leasing documents can save thousands in lost rent and legal fees.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.

Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.

The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.

• Tenant placement
• Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
• Regular property inspections
• Accounting and landlord bill payment
• Monthly financial reporting
• Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
• Collections
• Evictions
• We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
• 24 hour emergency phone service
• Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible

Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!

• Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.