Spotting A FAKE Tenant Application 🔎: Rental FRAUD & Toronto Real Estate Insights

In this episode, Ralph Fox sits down with leasing specialist Sean Bridge to dive into the real-life horror stories landlords face when screening tenants — and how to protect yourself from fraudulent rental applications.

From doctored pay stubs and sketchy employment letters to fabricated credit reports, Sean shares jaw-dropping examples, insider tips, and red flags every landlord (or aspiring landlord) needs to watch out for.

Whether you’re a new landlord, a seasoned investor, or just starting to think about renting out your property, this episode is essential viewing.

The stakes are high — and one bad tenant can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and over a year of legal headaches.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
✔️ What forged rental documents actually look like
✔️ Why fonts matter (seriously)
✔️ Red flags to watch for in credit reports, pay stubs & employment letters
✔️ The rise of "professional tenants" in Toronto
✔️ Must-know advice for landlords and leasing agents
✔️ Why due diligence is everything

CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to the Toronto Real Estate Podcast
01:06 – Why This Topic Matters for Landlords and Agents
02:00 – Meet Sean Bridge, Fox Marin Leasing Specialist
02:49 – What’s Happening in the Toronto Rental Market
03:28 – The Struggle to Find Quality Tenants
04:11 – The High Stakes of Choosing the Wrong Tenant
05:05 – Why the Tribunal Process Is a Landlord’s Nightmare
06:05 – The Rise of the “Professional Tenant” in Toronto
06:51 – How Common Are Fraudulent Applications?
07:30 – The Importance of Due Diligence in Screening
08:37 – Analyzing Real Examples of Fake Credit Reports
11:19 – Why Sean Rejects Applicants Who Mislead
11:51 – Spotting Red Flags in Employment Letters
13:03 – How Fraudulent Pay Stubs Are Often Manipulated
14:39 – When the Numbers Don’t Add Up, Walk Away
14:59 – Bad Photoshop and Sloppy Document Editing
16:04 – Fake Companies and Suspicious References
18:10 – The Hidden Risks Behind Seemingly “Good” Tenants
19:38 – Practical Due Diligence Tips for Landlords
20:30 – Horror Stories: Battering Rams and Bad Calls
21:41 – Why a Realtor’s Reputation Really Matters
22:03 – Final Thoughts on Navigating Toronto Rentals
23:03 – Give Good People a Chance, But Stay Alert
23:45 – Where to Find Sean Bridge Online
24:01 – Thanks for Watching – Share Your Stories Below!

📌 Comment below if you've had a tenant horror story — we’d love to hear it. 👍 Like, subscribe & share for more honest conversations about Toronto Real Estate.

📲 Follow Sean Bridge on Instagram: @realtorsean

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