Pressure to sign fast, with no showing and no file
A candidate who wants to lock in the unit immediately, put down a deposit before even seeing it, or skip any verification deserves more attention, not less.
A strong file is not afraid of questions. Rushing is often a way to get in before anyone looks too closely.
Vague answers about income or employment
You have the right to make sure the rent is sustainable. A serious candidate will give you a clear answer about their job and their ability to pay.
Repeated dodges, amounts that change from one conversation to the next, or nothing you can confirm, are signals to take seriously.
No references, or an unreachable previous landlord
The call to the previous landlord is one of the most useful checks you can do. One question often does it: "Would you rent to them again?"
A candidate with no references, or whose previous landlord is strangely impossible to reach, is not automatically disqualified — but it is the moment to ask more questions.
Disrespectful behaviour from the first contact
How someone behaves before signing is the best preview of the relationship to come. Unannounced no-shows at the viewing, an aggressive tone, vague promises.
You are not looking for perfection. You are looking for someone reliable and respectful, because that is exactly what you will need the day a problem comes up.
Verify without ever discriminating
Your criteria must be about ability to pay and the strength of the file — never about origin, religion, family situation, disability or any other ground protected by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The right method: the same questions and the same checks for every candidate. An identical process for everyone protects you as much as it protects applicants. For any question, refer to the Tribunal administratif du logement.
The signals not to ignore
- Pressure to sign with no showing and no verification
- Refusal to provide proof of income or employment
- Amounts or details that change from one time to the next
- No references, or an unreachable previous landlord
- Unannounced no-shows and a disrespectful tone from the start
- A "too perfect" file that cannot be confirmed
None of these signals alone is a conviction. Two or three together, though, are worth taking the time to verify before you sign.
