How to Verify a Potential Tenant’s ID

As a property manager, you’re often faced with dozens of admin tasks, tenant communications, and managing your property. You’ve got a lot on your plate and don’t necessarily want to add verifying potential tenant IDs to the list.

The problem with not verifying an applicant’s ID? Fraudsters are getting better and more sophisticated with faking documents thanks to advancements in AI and technology.

Pre-pandemic, property managers reported catching 90% of fraudulent applications. But now? They detect just 75%. 

Even one bad tenant can lead to months of missed rent, legal headaches, and unnecessary stress. 

We’re sharing how to verify a potential tenant’s ID, spot any red flags, and tighten up your application process—and your peace of mind. 

Quick Insights

• Fraudulent rental applications are more challenging to spot than ever, with detection rates dropping from 90% to 75% in recent years. The cost? Your time, money, and peace of mind.
• Simple visual ID checks aren’t enough anymore. For a complete picture, compare details against applications, run background and credit checks, and verify rental history.
• Automated tools like Snappt quickly flag fake documents, with features like facial recognition, liveness detection, and tampering analysis.
• Dealing with fake IDs requires a precise protocol. Document everything, communicate with the applicant carefully, alert your team, and report fraud to authorities and credit bureaus.
• A legally compliant process is just as crucial as a thorough one. Practice consistent screening, secure document handling, and adherence to fair housing and privacy laws.

Why Tenant ID Verification is Important

Inviting someone to live on your property without verifying their ID is like handing over the keys to your car without checking that the driver has a license. It’ll probably work out in most cases, but the risk isn’t worth it.

Verifying a future renter’s ID is your first line of defense against fraud. Because, let’s be honest, when someone submits a fake ID, they’re hiding something. 

It could be anything from a history of skipped rent payments and past evictions to the worst-case scenario—a serious criminal record. If someone is lying about their name or another detail, what else are they hiding?

Without a proper ID verification process, you’re flying blind. And that can cost you both in time and money.

Part of financial security involves knowing exactly who you’re renting to. Verifying a tenant’s ID confirms they are who they say they are, so you can confidently move through the rental process. 

Verification also protects you from synthetic identity fraud, where applicants use a combination of real and fake information, so it’s easier for them to slip through the cracks. 

When you know your tenant has been properly vetted, you can worry less about the potential for missed rent, disruptive behavior, or property damage. You can focus on what really matters: keeping your business running smoothly and your units filled with reliable residents.

Create and consistently follow a solid ID verification process to avoid high-risk tenants, reduce expensive turnover, and protect your properties. 

How to Verify a Tenant’s Identification Documents

Not sure where to start with verifying a tenant’s ID? Follow these methods to verify you’ll be renting to the same person who applies to live on your property.

1. Request a Government-Issued Photo ID

Always start by requesting a valid, government-issued photo ID, like a:

• Legitimate passport
• Driver’s license 
• State-issued ID

This is your first step in confirming identity. You can also request a Social Security card or work permit, which are especially useful for confirming name spelling or citizenship status. 

But if you decide to ask about things like citizenship status, apply this process to all applicants to avoid discrimination claims (we’ll cover more on that later).

2. Visually Inspect the ID

When you check the potential resident’s photo ID, look for any tell-tale signs of fraud, like:

• Tampering
• Poor-quality printing
• Incorrect formatting
• Mismatched fonts
• Blurred, low-resolution, or oddly cropped photos

Real IDs usually feature watermarks, holograms, and consistent font and formatting styles. If something feels or looks off, it probably is. While it’s not always the case, it’s best to do further investigation unless you’re absolutely sure. 

3. Compare Details with the Application

Match the name, date of birth, and address on the ID with the information the applicant provided in their rental application. 

See any inconsistencies? Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. You can always request extra documents—like utility bills or bank statements—to cross-reference.

4. Run a Background Check

A background check confirms that the name on the ID matches public records. It’s a tried-and-true method for identity verification, but you’ll want to get written consent from your tenant before conducting a background check. 

Use a reputable service that provides verified data about criminal history and rental behavior. Focus on recent or serious offenses that could impact the safety of your property or community.

5. Check Credit History

With the applicant’s permission, run a credit check to better understand their financials. As well as confirming their identity, checking a future renter’s credit history provides insights into whether they’ll likely pay their rent on time.

Look at their:

• Credit score
• Debt levels
• Any late payments
• General spending habits

All these factors combine to help inform whether an applicant would be financially responsible and pay rent on time. 

6. Verify Rental History

Reach out to any of your applicant’s previous landlords or property managers listed on the application. 

Ask them direct questions, like:

• Did the tenant pay their rent on time?
• Were there any complaints or lease violations?
• Did they leave the property in good condition?

Real references can confirm the ID and provide more details about the applicant’s rental behavior. As the saying goes, “Previous behavior is the best predictor of future behavior.”

7. Use Automated ID Verification Tools

Many property management platforms (like Snappt) offer automated ID verification services that scan, analyze, and flag suspicious documents. These tools are lightyears faster, more accurate, and less error-prone than manual ID checks. 

Plus, they’re designed to help you comply with ever-changing laws and data privacy regulations.

For example, selfie identity verification is a quick and secure way to confirm a tenant’s identity by matching their selfie to their government-issued ID. Selfie identity verification uses smart tech features, like facial recognition and liveness detection, to ensure the person is real and who they say they are. 

The applicant simply snaps a selfie and uploads a photo of their ID. Then, the system uses facial recognition to compare the two and confirm a match. It’s all done remotely and usually takes just a few minutes.

What to Do If an Applicant’s ID is Fake

So, you’ve done your due diligence and requested and checked the relevant IDs and documents. But something is off. 

Maybe the photo doesn’t seem to match. Or the document doesn’t scan. Or perhaps your fraud detection tools flag it outright. If you think you’ve been given a fake ID, here’s what to do next:

Document everything. Keep records of the ID submitted, the application, your communications with the applicant, and any standout red flags. This information is key should you report the issue or take legal action.

Consider speaking with the applicant. Want to talk to the applicant? Tread carefully. Communicate professionally and in writing. Let them know about the inconsistencies, and give them a chance to respond. In some cases, there’s a genuine explanation or mishap. But if not, don’t move forward with the lease.

Communicate with colleagues. If you’re part of a wider property management team, alert your colleagues immediately. Identity fraud often affects more than one unit or property.

Notify local authorities. Report identity fraud, including the potentially fake ID, any supporting documents, and crucial information about the application process. Request a police report or case number—this documentation should be valuable if the situation escalates.

Alert the credit bureau.  If you pulled a credit report for tenant screening, contact the credit bureau, too. Fraudulent applications can ripple beyond your properties or teams, so reporting helps combat further misuse.

Review your current screening process. While not ideal, treat this as an opportunity to review your tenant screening process. If someone almost slipped through your process, they might try again, or another person might succeed. Consider working with tools that help verify documents, detect fake IDs, and implement an extra layer of protection.

A Legally Compliant ID Verification Process

Verifying a tenant’s ID is paramount, but it’s equally important to do it the right way. A solid, well-researched, and planned verification process not only protects your properties from fraud but also safeguards you from any legal risks. 

Here’s how to ensure your approach checks all the right boxes.

Request an Application and ID

Ask every applicant to complete a rental application and submit a valid government-issued photo ID, like a passport or driver’s license. You can also request supporting documents, like:

• Pay stubs
• Utility bills
• Reference letters

These will confirm an applicant’s identity and financial stability. Tenant consent isn’t always required for a credit check, but if you want to run the check, it’s best to ask permission first and to get it down in writing. This shows transparency and can be helpful down the line if there’s a dispute.

Use a Verification Service

Choose a reliable, legally compliant ID verification service like Snappt to confirm the authenticity of submitted documents. 

These tools often check for tampering, fake templates, and inconsistencies in IDs. They also ensure your process meets data privacy and security standards.

Remain Consistent and Don’t Discriminate

Apply the same verification and screening process to every applicant, regardless of their background, to avoid lawsuits.

The federal Fair Housing Act (and often more expansive state laws) doesn’t allow discrimination based on race, religion, sex, disability, and more. This includes how you handle immigration status and criminal history.

If you consider a past conviction as a reason not to choose a tenant, the offense must be relevant to their ability to rent and live in your property safely.

Follow the Right Privacy Laws

Make sure you store all applications and ID copies securely and follow regulations surrounding data retention and disposal. Not complying with data privacy laws can lead to legal hot water and serious fines.

Not sure if you’re compliant? Consult with legal counsel.

Keep Notes

If you ever need to justify a tenant rejection, keeping detailed notes about your decision-making process can be invaluable. However, these reasons must be based on clear, business-related criteria rather than assumptions.

Pro tip: Document everything—even if there’s no fraud or reason to be concerned.

Prioritize ID Verification for Tenant Screening

Tenant screening starts with one critical question: Is this person who they say they are?

Skipping or rushing the ID verification process can cause serious problems later, like leaving your properties and business vulnerable to fraud, unpaid rental, property damage, and legal liability.

Always take the time to properly verify each applicant’s IDs and documents to protect your business, team, and residents. A strong ID verification process provides peace of mind that you’re placing the right people in your properties. 

Snappt makes it faster and easier to spot fake documents before they become expensive and stressful mistakes. Strengthen your screening process and stay ahead of fraudsters by checking out our easy-to-use ID verification solutions.