Before You Pay

Rental Verification Checklist

A step-by-step verification before paying any rental deposit. Tick each item as you confirm it, then generate a Rental Verification Record you can keep on file or hand to your bank if anything goes wrong.

verification steps before any deposit

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Step 1 · Property details

These appear on your printed Rental Verification Record. Only the address is required.

Rental property address *

Landlord or property manager name

Advertised monthly rent

Step 2 · Verification checklist

Tick each item as you complete it.

Required

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01.Saw the inside of the unit in person (or via live video with the keyholder)

Required

Never pay a deposit on a property you have not personally verified. A live video walkthrough where the keyholder unlocks the door in real time is acceptable when in-person isn't possible — recorded videos and photos are not.

02.Confirmed the landlord's or agent's photo ID matches the name on the listing

Required

Ask for a government-issued photo ID and (where applicable) a real-estate license number you can verify with the state license board. Compare the name to both the listing and the recorded owner.

03.Received and reviewed a complete written lease before paying anything

Required

Get the full lease, addenda, rules, and disclosures in writing. Read every page. Walk away from anyone who pressures you to pay before you have the lease in hand.

04.Confirmed the deposit will NOT be paid by wire, crypto, gift cards, P2P apps, or cash

Required

Scammers always demand untraceable payment. Pay by personal check, certified check, or ACH from a bank account you control — methods that can be reversed or traced if something goes wrong.

Why never wire a deposit →

05.Searched the listing photos and address for duplicates elsewhere online

Recommended

Reverse-image-search the listing photos and Google the exact street address. Scammers commonly copy real listings and re-post them at lower prices. Multiple landlords or wildly different rents on the same property is a red flag.

06.Confirmed the rent is reasonable for the area

Recommended

Compare the asking rent to similar units on Zillow, Apartments.com, and Rent.com. A price 20%+ below the local market is the most common bait used in rental scams.

07.Will get a written receipt for every payment, with the landlord's legal name and address

Recommended

Insist on a paper or PDF receipt for application fees, deposits, and first month's rent. The receipt should show the recipient's legal name, mailing address, and the property address.

This checklist is informational only and is not a substitute for legal advice or a formal background check on the landlord. Consider consulting a HUD-approved housing counselor before paying a large deposit.

Related tools for renters

Never Wire a Deposit

The five payment methods scammers demand — and why.

Tenant Resources by State

State AG offices and HUD-approved counselors.