Finding the right tenant is crucial to protecting your rental property and ensuring steady income. While a great tenant pays on time and cares for your home, the wrong one can lead to missed rent, property damage, and even legal headaches. That’s why thorough screening is essential. Here are five red flags to watch for when reviewing applications and interviewing potential tenants.

1. Inconsistent or Insufficient Income

A tenant should earn at least three times the monthly rent to afford the property comfortably. If an applicant struggles to provide proof of income or has an unstable job history, it could signal financial trouble ahead.
🚩 Red Flags:

• Frequent job changes with no steady employment history
• Refusal to provide pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements
• Self-employment with no verifiable income sources

✅ What to Do:
Verify income through pay stubs, bank statements, or employer verification. For self-employed applicants, request tax returns or profit-and-loss statements.

2. Poor or No Rental History

A responsible tenant should have a track record of paying rent on time and maintaining their previous properties. If an applicant has no rental references or a history of evictions, it’s worth investigating further.
🚩 Red Flags:

• Prior evictions or unresolved disputes with landlords
• A history of late rent payments or excessive lease violations
• Inability to provide landlord references or vague responses about previous rentals

✅ What to Do:
Call previous landlords and ask about payment history, property care, and lease violations. If an applicant is a first-time renter, require a co-signer or a higher security deposit.

3. Bad Credit or Significant Debt

Credit reports reveal a tenant’s financial responsibility. A low credit score or excessive debt could indicate missed payments or financial struggles.
🚩 Red Flags:

• Credit score below 600 (depending on your rental standards)
• Excessive unpaid debts, collections, or past bankruptcies
• Frequent late payments on credit cards or loans

✅ What to Do:
Set a minimum credit score requirement and evaluate their debt-to-income ratio. Some late payments are normal, but consistent financial mismanagement is a red flag.

4. Dishonesty or Incomplete Application

A trustworthy tenant will provide complete and accurate information. If an applicant lies about income, employment, or rental history, what else might they be hiding?
🚩 Red Flags:

• Gaps in the application (missing job or rental history)
• Conflicting information between the application and supporting documents
• Reluctance to authorize background or credit checks

✅ What to Do:
Double-check all details and verify employment, income, and rental history. If something seems off, ask follow-up questions—a responsible tenant should have nothing to hide.

5. Frequent Moves or Short Lease History

If an applicant moves every few months, they might not be reliable long-term tenants. A pattern of short-term stays could indicate lease-breaking issues or unstable living situations.
🚩 Red Flags:

• Frequent address changes in a short period
• Short leases (less than a year) with no valid reasons
• Evictions or early lease terminations in past rentals

✅ What to Do:
Ask why they moved so often and verify past landlord references. If their reasons seem suspicious, reconsider their application.

Tenant screening is about protecting your investment and ensuring a stress-free rental experience. While no screening process is foolproof, paying attention to these red flags can help you avoid bad tenants and costly problems.

Need help screening tenants for your Charleston rental? Contact us today for expert property management services!