Nowadays, it is difficult to approve fake pay stubs for an apartment. They are also almost impossible to pull out due to strictness applied when renting out apartments. Landlords thoroughly go through the information provided, and some even call the contacts for confirmation. It is not easy to get apartment approval using a fake pay stub.
What Is A Paystub?
It is a paycheck part providing information and figures on employees’ taxes, deductions, and wages. A pay stub shows all details used in the paycheck. It is more transparent and precise on the job done and the money paid. You find it as an online form and also as a physical bill. An employer always retains a copy to prove when settling any discrepancy issues. They can also use it in protecting their employees from the government on taxes and other deductions.
Why Use Fake Pay Stubs To Get An Apartment Approved?
Most apartment owners request potential tenants to bring along their pay stubs. They want to lease their apartments to employed individuals who can pay rent on time. It helps avoid unnecessary fights concerning the late payment. By using a pay stub, landlords can determine the tenants’ employer and their income levels. From there, they decide whether to lease their space or not.
In some states, it is difficult for unemployed people to get an apartment due to a lack of a pay stub. It takes them up the creek, searching for any possible means to get themselves a way to get it. What better method than using a fake paystub? Since they are unemployed, they need a document serving as proof of employment. Some think it is just a piece of paper until the landlord goes through the information provided.
As a renter, it is essential to uphold honesty and make it your policy. It is easier to deal with a landlord you explained everything to at the beginning of the lease agreement. If you lied to and issued a fake pay stub, they are likely even to sue you for fraud. They even go as far as throwing you out of their property. Using a fake pay stub could land you in worse legal issues attracting over $1 million by the company you claim to work for.
Why Do Apartment Owners Request Pay Stubs?
Being an apartment landlord involves so many risks. You rent out living space to individuals you know nothing about. They could be terrorists or thieves seeking refuge in your building. If caught, you might get involved and face legal charges for harboring lawbreakers. To avoid such cases, landlords take precautions. For example, they will screen credit details, rental history, and pay stubs. They do this to ensure the safety of other tenants too. They are also certain you can pay your rent and cover other expenses.
Apartment owners request pay stubs for the following reasons;
To Verify Income
No one wants a nagging tenant. The type of people you always knock on their door requesting their monthly rent. That is why most apartment complexes set minimum income requirements for one to get their approval. Even those without minimum requirements, pay stubs do help validate your ability to fulfill your rental fees obligations.
Verification Of Employment
Some people are self-employed and cannot produce a pay stub. In such a case, landlords request you to provide any form of evidence to show your income source. One is by showing them your quarterly tax statements. Alternatively, you can use contract details if working on any project, such as free-lancing. Your bank statements are also proof of steady income enough for you to pay rent.
As a Requirement For The Application Process
It is just a requirement for an apartment application process in other cases. They use it to serve as a reference before your application is approved. Pay stubs are sources of your identification other than just your name and birth details. It is a secondary reference source as it provides details of where to find you (your job place). Lack of pay stubs has denied many people approval of rental apartments.
How Can Landlords Identify A Fake Paystub?
People who require pay stubs from their clients have come across many fake pay stubs. Some use them even when applying for loans other than apartments. When apartment approval is concerned, it is risky to accept one. What happens if you take one from a tenant who cannot afford the rental fee? How do you reach their supposed employers? For this and other reasons, you can use the following tips to determine whether a pay stub is fake when approving an apartment;
Unexplained Gaps In The Pay Stub
Fake pay stub makers lack enough time to do all the dates and income figures math. For this reason, you find incorrect details, whereas some are unavailable. The most common details that lack in a fake pay stub is on annual deductions and also the year-to-date pay. It could be due to forgetfulness or an inadequate fake tub template used. Whichever missing detail, it should act as a red flag to raise your suspicion.
Rounded Up Dollars Figures
A regular pay stub has funny-looking figures. They are primarily due to the percentages, deductions, and taxes on the income numbers, producing cents figures. For this reason, it is not normal to have a pay stub with rounded-off figures to the nearest dollar. Having such rounded-off figures is reason enough to suspect them.
Lack Of The Employer’s Contact
It is important to avoid ignoring minor details such as the employer’s details on documents presented to us. The main reason landlords ask for the pay stubs is to ensure their tenants are capable. It would not hurt if you contacted the employer just for simple information. Why would they put phone numbers there if they did not want contact from other people? After calling them and you happen to be in doubt, there are other ways like searching them on the internet.
Incorrect Company Details
Incorrect details of the company they claim to work for is the biggest red flag you can find. It is easy to mistake anything but not on the company details. The reason is, employers give out these details now and then. Be considerate. Remember that since the employer’s details do not match the googled information, it does not mean what they gave is incorrect. It would be best if you had several reasons to validate whether the pay stub is real or fake.
Lack Of Bank Statements
People who use fake pay stubs do not have the same bank statements as those listed. After finding several red flags, this is the only sure way to settle the issue. Ask for the same bank statements as one appearing on the pay stub. Most will give excuses for slow bank systems not producing it. If they produce one with a different deposited amount, it is time to raise the issue with the management for further action.
Is There A Penalty For Using A Fake Pay Stub For Apartment Approval?
Most people using fake pay stubs have the thought of getting away with it. It may be easy not to get caught. However, if you get caught, the consequences are suffocating. The first never-ending hangover of fear you get even after getting away with it. You tend to always tense, thinking of the consequences..
The worst penalty you get for trying to defraud the apartment owner is a high chance to face legal battles for the rest of your life, especially for government-owned properties. It affects your credit details, making it difficult to access financial help. You are also likely to find it very hard to find an apartment in the same state and others.
For this reason, avoid using fake pay stubs where possible. Instead, be honest with your landlord and explain your situation, whether unemployed or self-employed.
Are There Alternative Documents You Can Use For Apartment Approval Other Than Pay Stubs?
Landlords use pay stubs to measure whether you can afford their apartments or not. There are other methods, but pay stubs are the most efficient since others are easy to manipulate. The table below shows different documents landlords can use and how effective they are:
| Document | Content | Effectiveness on a scale of 1 – 5 |
| Signed offer letter | Usually includes dates of job offer. It does not include current employment information | 2 |
Employment verification letter | Indicates job invitation dates by the employer | 2 |
Bank statements | Shows deposits and withdrawals made to a bank account | 4 |
College financial aid documents | For students who have their accommodation funded by the school | 3 |
Conclusion
Some risk-takers use fake pay stubs for apartment approval despite knowing the potential penalties. You risk more than what you gain by using a fake pay stub. Instead, if you are unemployed and looking for an apartment, you could explain your situation to a landlord. It is better to be honest instead of suffering the consequences of fraud.
