Red Flags to Watch for When Reviewing Rental Applications

Spot the warning signs early and protect your property with a smarter application process.

If you’re like many landlords, reviewing applications can feel like a guessing game. What should you look for? What should raise concern? And how do you stay compliant while protecting yourself and your investment?

The truth is, even a tenant that sounds great on paper can come with hidden risks. That’s why knowing what red flags to watch for and having the right tools to compare applicants efficiently is so important if you want to avoid costly mistakes.

Tenant Red Flags (and Why They Matter)

Let’s break down a few of the most common application red flags and why they should make you pause and take a closer look before proceeding.

1. Incomplete or inconsistent information

It’s very possible that leaving out requested information was an innocent mistake. However, it’s also possible that if an applicant leaves out key details, such as past landlord contacts or employment dates, they might be hiding something. Always follow up if something seems off.

2. Low credit score or significant debt

A single missed payment isn’t always a dealbreaker, but a pattern of late payments, collections, or a very low score can indicate future rent issues. Credit reports also reveal debt-to-income ratio and overall financial responsibility.

3. Frequent moves or short rental history

Jumping from lease to lease could be a sign of instability or trouble getting along with landlords. On the flip side, a stable rental history suggests they’re more likely to be a reliable long-term tenant.

4. Evictions or criminal records

Many background checks include these automatically, but it’s how you interpret them that matters. Generally, you can’t apply a blanket ban based on this information. However, past evictions can be major red flags, and criminal history requires thoughtful, fair, and legal consideration based on the severity and recency of the incident. Following up on this to understand the context is essential.

5. Unverified income

If a tenant can’t (or won’t) provide proof of income, then there is no way to verify that they can, in fact, afford to rent your property. You’re risking late payments and missed rent.

6. Vague or overly positive references

References that sound scripted, generic, or suspiciously glowing might not be real. Don’t be afraid to call former landlords or employers directly and ask specific questions.

How Landlord Studio Makes Reviewing Applications Easier

Reviewing applications shouldn’t feel like detective work, you shouldn’t have to print out pages or pin profiles to a wall murder-board style, to asses and compare applicants. 

With Landlord Studio, you can streamline the process, reduce guesswork, and confidently spot red flags before they become problems.

1. Compare applications side-by-side

Quickly evaluate applicants against your tenant criteria — like income, credit score, and rental history — all in one clean dashboard.

2. Request screening reports in a single flow

Speed up the process. Collect applications and screening reports in the same step, so you get everything you need without the back-and-forth.

3. View credit, criminal, and eviction history at a glance

Thanks to our integration with TransUnion SmartMove, you can access reliable, FCRA-compliant screening reports with just a few clicks.

4. Track documents and application status

See exactly where each applicant is in the process — what’s submitted, what’s missing, and what’s next.

5. Apply your criteria consistently

By centralizing and standardizing your process, you reduce the risk of bias and stay compliant with Fair Housing regulations.

How to Find Tenants with Landlord Studio

Create a free customizable rental listing in just a few minutes, and syndicate it to top channels.

1. Create a free Landlord Studio account or log back in.
2. Create your rental listing in as little as 10 minutes.
3. Advertise your rental across top channels with syndication.
4. Start a new online rental application & run a tenant screening report.
5. Compare all your leads and applicants in one place.

Make Smarter Tenant Decisions with Landlord Studio

Identifying red flags in rental applications isn’t about being overly cautious — it’s about protecting your investment and setting yourself up for long-term success. The earlier you catch potential issues, the easier it is to avoid missed rent payments, lease violations, or costly evictions down the line.

With the right system in place, reviewing applications doesn’t have to be overwhelming or inconsistent. Landlord Studio helps you simplify the process, stay compliant, and make confident, informed decisions — so you can find reliable tenants faster and with less stress.

Review and manage rental applications with Landlord Studio for smarter tenant decisions.