As rentals grow in popularity, more third-party booking requests from housing agencies and corporate placement companies are showing up in landlord inboxes. These groups often manage housing for travel professionals, contractors, or relocating employees—and many are legitimate. But how can you tell which ones are worth working with?
We recently saw this exact question pop up in the community:
"Is there a verification process for the traveler/users on Furnished Finder? I had someone reach out who claimed themselves as housing agents or recruiters."
It’s a great question. Below, we’ll walk through how to handle these situations—plus ways to protect yourself and your property.
Step 1: Use Tenant Screening Every Time
Even if the inquiry comes from an agency or recruiter, we always recommend running a tenant screening on the actual occupant. Our Tenant Screening product helps you:
Verify identity and background
Check credit and criminal history
Get peace of mind before the keys change hands
🔗 Learn how to use Tenant Screening on Furnished Finder (opens in new tab)
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions
If you're approached by a housing agency or placement rep, here are a few key things to ask:
Who will be the actual occupant?
What’s their company’s website or LinkedIn page?
Can they provide references from other landlords?
Will the tenant also sign the lease?
Who is responsible for damages or missed rent?
Most legit agencies will have no issue answering these.
Step 3: Look for Red Flags
Here are a few warning signs to watch for:
Vague company names or no digital presence
Reluctance to share details about the tenant
Asking to book without screening
Offering to “pay more” or asking for unusual arrangements
Share Your Experience
Have you worked with a placement agency before? What’s worked for you, or what would you do differently next time? Drop your thoughts in our Facebook Group (opens in new tab) or send us a note, we’d love to include your insight in an updated version of this post.
In the meantime, use the tools we do offer (opens in new tab)—like screening, lease agreements, and the power of asking smart questions—to protect yourself and build successful bookings.