Why Landlords Shouldn’t Rely on Social Media Checks for Tenant Screening

In the age of Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, it is easier, and maybe biased, for landlords to judge potential tenants based on their social media profiles. Renting out your property is a serious decision that demands far more diligence than scrolling through someone's online persona.

Landlords might be impressed by a few LinkedIn activities or frown over the partying habits, yet that doesn’t define anyone’s viability as a tenant.

If you're planning to rent out your house, here are the essentials you should be looking into:

1. Aadhaar, PAN & Employment Verification

The first and most basic step is to verify the potential tenant’s identity and employment. Ask for Aadhaar, PAN copies, and a recent salary slip or company ID. These aren’t just formalities; they help ensure the person renting your home is who they claim to be and that they have a steady source of income.

“If the tenant is a student or freelancer, request supporting documents like college ID cards, admission letters, or client references. Always cross-check employer details on Google or via LinkedIn,” suggests Akhil Gupta, Co-founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer, NoBroker.

2. Police Verification

Many new or first-time landlords skip police verification, thinking it’s a cumbersome process. But they don’t know that pan-India police verification is mandatory and even has a punishable penalty if not done. In case of any future dispute or illegal activity, having a verified tenant record with the local police can offer vital protection to landlords.

Some online platforms not only help find the perfect tenant but also help landlords with tenant verification, one that is solid compared with what is visible on social media.

3. Tenant's Purpose and Lifestyle Fit

“Most property owners usually don’t want to rent their properties to individuals who are single or work independently. While there is a fear of potential nuisance and property damage, this might not always be the case. Rather than leading with a bias, it is crucial to understand the potential tenant’s needs, behaviour and mindset,” says Gupta.

For example, any bachelor who might’ve been living on rent for years might better understand managing the property. Have an open conversation with the tenant about why they’re renting and what their daily lifestyle looks like. Are they working from home? Do they have pets? Are they likely to have frequent guests?

This isn’t about being noisy; it’s about making sure your property and their lifestyle are compatible. A mismatch can lead to friction with neighbours or maintenance challenges.

4. Mandate Rental Agreement Terms

A well-drafted rental agreement is your first line of defence. It should clearly mention the rent amount, security deposit, notice period, maintenance responsibilities, and rules regarding guests, subletting, and alterations to the property. Without legal vetting, loopholes can creep in, exposing you to disputes down the line. The best solution is to connect with the local Notary to get a verified and stamped agreement for the tenant and landlord to sign.

5. Background & Credit Checks

Go a step further and request a basic credit report. This can give insights into the tenant’s financial discipline and liabilities. This is easily available on many payment apps and you can ask the tenants for a screenshot of their Cibil score. A score of 700 and above is generally considered good.

Background checks, now part of many professional rental services, can also flag past criminal records or fraud risks.

6. Rental history

This step is unskippable if the tenant contacts you via reference or if you know the previous landlords. Speaking to previous landlords offers direct insight into the tenant’s behaviour, such as their rental habits, neighbour complaints, past behaviours, or any tenant red flags you’d want to avoid.

“While social media may give a curated snapshot, it’s no substitute for real due diligence. Renting your property is a financial decision, but also deeply personal. A good tenant can keep your home well-maintained, secure, and stress-free. A bad one can cost you money, time, and peace of mind,” says Gupta.

When finding tenants, always connect them via verified platforms as they are free from middlemen and only have genuine property owners and seekers.

Samir Chopra, President & CEO, eXp Realty India, says, “In today’s digital age, it may be tempting for landlords to judge tenants by their social media presence, but renting a property is too important a decision to be based on curated online personas. A strong tenant screening process must go deeper — verifying identity, employment, and creditworthiness; conducting police verification; reviewing rental history; and having open conversations about lifestyle compatibility. A well-drafted rental agreement and reference checks with past landlords are equally critical safeguards.”

Social media, thus, can mislead, but facts, documents, and due diligence will always protect your property and provide you peace of mind.