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Author: Mark Ainely | Partner GC Realty & Development & Co-Host Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast
Tenant screening in Chicago is getting harder, not easier. As the 2025 winter eviction moratorium approaches and rental scams evolve faster than ever, landlords are being hit with a wave of fake documents, unverifiable stories, and applicants who know exactly how to manipulate weaknesses in the system. In this episode, Mark Ainley breaks down the three biggest red flags he’s seeing right now, and what Chicago housing providers must do to protect themselves on the front end before it becomes an eviction on the back end.
In this Straight Up Chicago Investor Tuesday Tip, Tom and Mark dig into the scams, patterns, and deceptive tactics showing up across thousands of annual applications at GC Realty & Development. From applicants lying about where they live, to perfectly polished fake offer letters, to the unstable income patterns of gig workers, Mark lays out exactly how to catch red flags before approving tenants.
They cover how to verify addresses using credit reports and phone databases, how to validate employer information without relying on the number an applicant gives you, and why co-signers have become one of the strongest tools in Chicago’s current regulatory environment. As always, the focus is on what landlords and property managers need to do in real-world Chicago situations, not textbook theory.
Whether you screen one applicant a year or one thousand, this episode provides the exact steps, tools, and mindset shifts needed to make smarter decisions, stay compliant with local ordinances, and avoid preventable evictions.
Questions We Answer in This Episode
Q: Why is “I’m living with a friend” the #1 rental history lie right now?
A: Because it removes the landlord reference from the equation. Mark explains how GC verifies address history through credit reports, phone-number databases, and cross-referencing timelines.
Q: How do you verify whether an offer letter is real or fake?
A: By never trusting the contact information provided on the letter. Mark explains how to investigate HR contacts, feed them incorrect details, and expose fabricated employment.
Q: What makes gig-worker income so difficult to evaluate?
A: It fluctuates wildly. Six weeks of strong Uber or DoorDash deposits don’t replace a year’s worth of tax returns and bank statements. Consistency matters more than recent spikes.
Q: How can housing providers reduce risk when applicants have thin files or income instability?
A: Co-signers. With deposit caps in Cook County and Chicago, co-signers are becoming the strongest protection for landlords.
Q: What is one simple way to expose fake landlord references or fake employment numbers?
A: Look up every phone number on Forewarn or TruePeopleSearch before calling. If the name doesn’t match, or ties back to family, you’ve found your answer.
Show Notes
00:04 Why tenant screening is more important than ever before the winter eviction moratorium
01:06 The rise of the “living with a friend” lie and how GC verifies address histories
02:07 Using credit reports, Forewarn, and phone-number databases to validate applicant information
02:48 Free alternative to Forewarn for small landlords: TruePeopleSearch
03:29 Offer letter scams, fake HR contacts, and how to vet job claims
04:37 Why airline, postal, and government job offer letters are the easiest to fake
05:22 Feeding HR reps the wrong info to test whether the offer letter is real
06:04 Fake landlord references and phone-number mismatches
07:06 Gig-worker income volatility and why monthly deposits don’t tell the story
08:44 Reviewing tax returns and bank statements for 1099 income
09:52 How co-signers reduce risk under Cook County and Chicago restrictions
10:49 Soldier Field trivia and the $50 gift card winner
11:59 Getting to Soldier Field, Arlington Heights plans, and Chicago sports pain
12:26 Closing remarks and invitation for listener recommendations
Takeaways for Chicago Property Managers and Landlords
- Tenant screening is risk management, slow down, verify everything, and trust your instincts.
- “I’m living with a friend” is rarely true. Always verify addresses and timelines.
- Offer letters are now one of the most common scam documents.
- Free and paid phone-number databases can expose fake references instantly.
- Gig-worker income requires deeper verification through tax returns and banking history.
- Chicago’s regulations limit deposits, co-signers can provide added protection.
- Consistency of income, story, and documentation matters more than any one number.
- Approval pressure is the enemy, vacancy is always cheaper than eviction.
- Screening correctly on the front end prevents 90% of downstream problems.
GUEST NAME:Mark Ainley
GUEST COMPANY:GC Realty & Development, LLC
GUEST LINK:https://www.gcrealtyinc.com
Because finding good tenants and property management shouldn’t feel like online dating.
Dear Investor,
If you are an investor in either the city or suburbs of Chicago, I would love to speak with you about how we can help you on your real estate journey. At GC Realty & Development LLC, we help hundreds of Chicagoland real estate owners and brokers each year manage their assets with both full service property management and tenant placement services.
We understand that every investor’s goals are unique, and we love learning about each client’s individual needs. If there is an opportunity to help you buy back your time by managing your rental property or finding quality tenants, please check us out.
Best Investing,
Founder, Partner, Podcast Co-Host, and Investor
