Did you know that up to 40% of rental applications are suspected to contain fraudulent documents? That’s one of the alarming insights shared in our Rental Applications & Vetting Workshop, which agents described as “brilliant, motivating, and worth every cent.” These tenant vetting secrets and proven screening systems are essential for every rental agent.

The good news? There are solutions. And not only did we share them in the workshop, but every registrant now gets access to the full recording. Plus, you’ll unlock a 50% discount on our comprehensive Rental Application & Vetting Pro Power Pack when you register for the training.

Missed the live workshop? Don’t worry — you can still register now and get instant access to the full replay:

Tenant Vetting: The Scary Truths You Can’t Ignore (and What to Do About Them)

1. Up to 40% of Applications May Be Fraudulent

Agents shared first-hand stories of applicants submitting payslips and bank statements that didn’t even belong to them — including one case where a son tried to rent a property using his father’s documents because they shared the same name. This is classic rental application fraud and highlights the need for stronger tenant screening protocols.

Real examples shown in the workshop: The workshop includes anonymised examples of fraudulent documents taken from real rental applications, so agents can see exactly how payslips, bank statements and IDs are manipulated in the wild. These case studies make the risks tangible and show practical checks you can apply immediately.

Privacy note: All documents shown in the training are redacted to remove personally identifiable information and used with permission or suitably anonymised to protect applicants’ privacy.

Preferental Screening Tool

Spotting fraudulent documents requires more than a quick glance. That’s where the Preferental Screening App comes in — one of the most effective rental screening tools for South Africa:

• Confirms employer details with SARS
• Detects tampered PDFs with AI
• Strengthens your vetting process

Tools like this strengthen your tenant vetting process and provide landlord risk protection.

2. An “Average” Credit Report Isn’t Enough

Basic credit checks only scratch the surface. They don’t show the applicant’s total debt load or monthly commitments — which weakens tenant background checks and affordability analysis.

The Solution: Use in-depth checks like TPN RentCheck, which shows indebtedness and obligations — giving a true picture of affordability. You simply can’t do proper tenant vetting without the information in RentCheck that isn’t available in other reports.

In fact, Chanel Coetzee from TPN joined us in this workshop to explain the RentCheck report in detail, so agents could see exactly how to use it to protect landlords and make better vetting decisions.

3. Affordability Calculations Are Often Ignored

Too many agencies rely on gut feel or inconsistent standards, leading to risky placements.

The Solution: Implement a consistent, defendable affordability ratio (such as income-to-rent). Apply it across all applications, without exception.

Our Rental Application & Vetting Pro Power Pack includes step-by-step process checklists and communication templates that ensure you apply the same standard every time. This not only keeps your team consistent, but also provides documented proof when things go wrong and landlords try to shift the blame back onto the agent.

4. Fraudsters Exploit Desperation

One scary fact highlighted by participants: agents under pressure to close deals can become less objective. Fraudulent applicants know this and exploit it.

Red flag to watch for: Last-minute applications that try to put agents under pressure — for example, “I need a place by the 1st” when the application only arrives a day or two before month-end. These situations often indicate applicants are hiding something and trying to rush the process.

The Solution: Stick to your process no matter what. Document every step using professional templates and screening tools. Our Rental Application & Vetting Pro Power Pack gives you the ready-made resources to stay consistent and protect yourself when things go wrong.

5. Applicants Manipulate Small Details

Errors like mismatched UIF contributions or dates of birth are not coincidences — they’re deliberate attempts to trick the system.

Real examples shown in the workshop: We share actual anonymised documents to demonstrate how hard it can be to spot altered payslips, bank statements, and IDs. Some manipulations are subtle enough to slip past even experienced agents.

The Solution: We provide tips and pointers on how cross-checking details across multiple documents is essential to catch many of these issues. But when it comes to more sophisticated fraud, the Preferental Screening App provides the enhanced scrutiny that manual checks alone can’t deliver.

Tenant Vetting Secrets: Why Every Agent Needs the Pro Power Pack

Every registrant gets our Pro Power Pack at 50% off. Agents who attended the workshop called it “amazing, motivating, and worth every cent.”

• Landlord Screening Report – show landlords exactly how you vet tenants and build trust in your process.
• Pre-drafted ‘Conditional Approval’ Template – approve applicants subject to key verifications, protecting your agency if something doesn’t check out.
• ‘Unsuccessful Applicant’ Template – handle rejections professionally and legally, minimising conflict.
• Application Form Essentials Guide – know exactly what to include in your application form (and why) to prevent later disputes.
• Process Checklists & Communication Templates – keep your team consistent and compliant with step-by-step resources.

Even the Best Tenants Face Life’s Curveballs — Protect Landlords with Xpello

Despite our best endeavours and choosing the best possible applicants, life still happens — job loss, divorce, unexpected death, bank or debt crises. As professional agents, it’s our duty to be honest with landlords about these realities and to offer proactive protection.

This is where Xpello comes in. Xpello’s eviction and rental protection solutions give landlords peace of mind when the unforeseen happens — helping cover legal processes swiftly and supporting cash flow so landlords aren’t left exposed during difficult periods.

By building Xpello into your value proposition you’re not just placing tenants — you’re protecting assets and income, and reinforcing your value as a professional rental partner.

Tenant Vetting Secrets: Feedback from Workshop Attendees

FAQ: Tenant Vetting Secrets

Don’t Get Caught Out

With today’s technology, landlords demand — and deserve — more than just the basics. They expect rental professionals to not only follow best practices, but also to identify fraudulent applications and apply rigorous screening criteria and protocols. Anything less puts their investment at risk.

This is why our Rental Applications & Vetting Workshop and the Tenant Vetting Pro Power Pack are not “nice-to-haves.” They are essential tools for agents who want to conduct thorough, defensible vetting and deliver the level of professionalism landlords demand and deserve. Mastering these tenant vetting secrets is what sets you apart — and keeps your process trusted by landlords.