EIGHT Different Ways to Detect a Bad Tenant
April 28, 2025
Quality tenant selection is the single most important function for any property investor. Yet — spoiler alert — bad tenants don’t show up wearing a red flag. They dress well, act polite, and can look squeaky clean at first glance.
You need to look carefully for warning signs and stay vigilant. In fact, it's always best to work with an experienced agent, because inexperience almost guarantees you'll eventually get burned.
Need help finding the right tenant? Contact Origami Property Management at Hello@OrigamiPM.com or call (470) 641-2463. You can also learn more about us at Origamipm.com.
Here are eight clues that might point to a bad tenant. None of these alone are a smoking gun — but if you spot one, it’s time to dig deeper.
#1 – Application Blanks and Unanswered Questions
If you’ve clearly instructed that every application must be filled out completely, yet you get vague or missing information, it's a red flag. Bad tenants often bank on someone being lazy enough to overlook their half-baked paperwork. Don't let that someone be you.
#2 – Wrong Address Information
Cross-check the identification and utility bills they provide with the address info they wrote down. If things don’t match up, start asking questions immediately.
#3 – Overdue Utility Accounts
Always request copies of current utility bills. Besides confirming their living situation, overdue notices ("disconnect imminent") are a major hint that paying bills on time may not be a thing for them.
#4 – Smelly/Stained Paper Applications
If an old-school paper application comes back reeking of cigarettes, coffee, or covered in mystery stains, take it seriously. Sloppy paperwork often equals sloppy living.
#5 – Inconsistent Stories About Current Residence
Always casually ask upfront: "Are you renting right now?"
Note their answer. If the official application later tells a different story, something shady could be going on. Integrity at the start matters.
#6 – Drive-By Their Current Property
If you’re nearby, drive past the current residence listed. You can tell a lot about how someone will treat your property just by glancing at their current curb appeal.
#7 – Default Listings on Tenancy Databases
Only licensed real estate agents have access to major tenancy default databases. (Yes, we check them at Origami.) If an applicant shows up there, that’s your cue to run, not walk, away.
#8 – "Friends and Family" Housing History
If an 18-year-old says they've been living with family, fine.
If a 35-year-old with no rental history says the same, that's different.
Start asking serious questions. No rental history can often mean recent evictions or financial instability they’re trying to hide.
Bottom line?
Tenant selection is high-stakes. Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance — and without a verifiable history, you’re gambling with your investment.
If you want peace of mind, Origami Property Management specializes in tenant screening that actually protects your bottom line.
👉 Contact us today at Hello@OrigamiPM.com, call (470) 641-2463, or visit us online at OrigamiPM.com.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant screening practices must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing and landlord-tenant laws. Always consult with a qualified professional before making final tenant selection decisions.
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Written by Origami Property Management
Written by Origami Property Management
Written by Origami Property Management
Written by Origami Property Management
Written by Origami Property Management
