Add one more problem to the challenges facing some apartment owners and managers: tenants who lie on their rental applications.

Responding to a survey conducted by the National Multifamily Housing Council between November 15, 2023 and January 9, 2024, 93.3% of owners/managers said they had experienced fraud in the past year – and that the level was on average 40.4% higher than the prior year. One of the most common types of fraud was fake or falsified pay stubs, employment references or other forms of income documentation, reported by more than 84% of respondents.

Misrepresenting information on applications came second, followed by identity theft, unauthorized cohabitants or sublets, and fraudulent checks.