5 Rental Application Checks Every Agent Must Get Right

A single weak spot in the rental application checks process can leave landlords out of pocket and rental agents scrambling to contain the damage. One real case shows why thorough vetting is non-negotiable.

A Costly Oversight

An older couple and their two adult children, both with intellectual disabilities, applied to rent a property. Their eldest son, who was meant to pay the rent, listed himself as the tenant and his parents as occupants. Nothing unusual so far.

But within a few months, rent payments stopped. It turned out that the son had resigned from his job even before submitting the rental application — leaving him with no income. When the landlord queried the arrears, the agent discovered that the son had never submitted payslips, yet the application had still been approved.

The landlord was left out of pocket, and the agent faced the fallout of avoidable mistakes.

The Legal Position

In this case, the tenants were on a month-to-month lease. That meant the landlord could serve a 7-day Letter of Demand (LOD) when rent was unpaid.

When the notice period expired without payment, the landlord was entitled — in line with a Western Cape High Court decision — to cancel the lease immediately, while still giving a full calendar month’s notice to vacate.

This is the correct process — but this case also shows why thorough rental application checks up-front are critical to prevent loss in the first place.

5 Essential Rental Application Checks

1. Put the payer on the lease
   If the person paying rent isn’t occupying the property, they must still sign the lease and be vetted. Lease obligations can’t be enforced against someone who hasn’t signed.
2. Insist on payslips — and verify
   Always request at least three months’ payslips. But remember: payslips can be outdated or even fabricated. Treat them as one data point, not the whole picture.
3. Call the employer directly
   Never rely on the contact details listed on the application form. Look up the employer’s official details online and call the main switchboard to confirm employment and income.
4. Check verified bank statements
   Request at least three months of bank statements. Use verified statements (e.g., TPN Verified Bank Statements) and confirm that deposits line up with the payslips provided.
5. No documents? No deal
   If an applicant refuses or “forgets” to provide required documents, don’t proceed. It’s not worth the risk to your landlord — or your reputation.

Quick Rental Application Checks Checklist

• [ ] Tenant and payer both on the lease (if different people)
• [ ] Minimum three months’ payslips provided and verified
• [ ] Employer contact independently sourced and confirmed
• [ ] Minimum three months’ bank statements (preferably verified)
• [ ] No missing, inconsistent, or delayed documents accepted

Learn from the Experts

Industry leaders like Xpello and TPN Credit Bureau stress the same principle: prevention beats cure. Proper rental application checks upfront protect landlords, agents, and income streams. For deeper insights, members of the RentalSphere Inner Circle get real-world case studies and training on spotting fraudulent applications before they become expensive mistakes.

Helpful related reads:

• Tenant Vetting – The Shocking Truth
• Lease Renewals in South Africa

Key Takeaway

Bottom line: Strong rental application checks are non-negotiable. If applicants won’t provide the documents, don’t proceed — protect your landlords, your reputation, and your income.

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