Our 12-Step Tenant Screening Process: Zero Tolerance for Risk

At GTA Landlord, we understand that placing the wrong tenant can cost you thousands in lost rent, legal fees, and damages. We don’t rely on luck. We use a forensic, 12-point verification system that goes far beyond a simple credit check to ensure only the most reliable, financially stable tenants receive keys to your property.

1. Government ID Verification

We require a valid, government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License or Passport) for every applicant.

Why: This prevents identity fraud. We ensure the person applying is exactly who they say they are, preventing "professional tenants" from using an alias to hide a bad rental history.

2. Employment Letter Verification

We collect an official employment letter stating tenure, position, and salary  by contacting the employer directly.

Why: Fake documents are common. We analyze the letterhead and structure to detect forgeries. We don't just read it; we scrutinize it to ensure the income stated matches the market rate for that role.

3. Direct Employer Contact

We independently look up the company and call it involves confirming a tenant’s job status by directly contacting their employer and ensuring the accuracy of the provided information.

4. Pay Stub & Bank Statement Analysis

We review the last 2-3 months of pay stubs and, where necessary, cross-reference them with bank statements.

Why: An employment letter promises future income, but pay stubs prove actual cash flow. We look for inconsistencies in deposits or undisclosed garnishments that could affect their ability to pay rent.

5. Full Equifax Credit Report (Pulled by Us)

We review the tenant's Equifax credit report to check payment history, whether payments were made on time, debts, mortgages or loans, and any collections.

6. Online & Social Media Background Check

We conduct a digital footprint search on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Google.

Why: A tenant’s lifestyle must match their application. Social media often reveals undisclosed pets, smoking habits, or a partying lifestyle that could disturb neighbors—details they would never put on a formal application.

7. Comprehensive Rental Application

We provide a thorough rental application process to collect all necessary information for tenant screening and ensure a smooth leasing process.

8. Current Landlord Verification

We contact their current landlord to confirm rent payment history and care of the unit.

Why: We confirm they actually live where they say they do. However, we take this with a grain of salt, as current landlords sometimes give good reviews just to get rid of a bad tenant (see Step 9).

9. Previous Landlord Verification (The "Truth" Check)

We dig deeper to contact the previous landlord—the one they rented from 1–3 years ago.

Why: This is the most critical step. A previous landlord has no reason to lie. They have nothing to gain, so they will tell us the honest truth about late payments, property damage, or noise complaints.

10. Personal Reference Check

We conduct personal reference checks with friends, family, or colleagues to assess the tenant's background and reliability.

11. The Tenant Interview

A one-on-one interview is conducted with the tenant to understand their plans, reasons for moving, whether they’ve served notice, and to verify all documents provided. This helps us gain a clearer understanding of the tenant's background before proceeding with their application.

12. Waterproof Lease Agreement

We prepare a comprehensive Ontario Standard Lease, complete with custom Schedule A clauses tailored to protect your specific property.

Why: A generic lease leaves loopholes. Our agreements clearly define rules regarding utilities, keys, insurance, and maintenance, ensuring you are legally protected from Day 1.

Don't Risk Your Investment

Stop guessing. Let us handle the screening.

This website may only be used by consumers that have a bona fide interest in the purchase, sale, or lease of real estate of the type being offered via the website. The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of the PropTx MLS®. The data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate.