In an era of rental scams, fraudulent business partners, and contractors who disappear with deposits, due diligence isn't just smart — it's essential. A professional investigation before making a significant financial or personal commitment can save you thousands of dollars and enormous grief.

Kanenson PI provides due diligence investigation services in three primary areas: landlord/tenant screening, tenant/renter protection, and moving company vetting.

Pillar 1: Landlord/Tenant Screening

For landlords and property owners, a bad tenant can mean months of unpaid rent, property damage, and costly eviction proceedings. A thorough tenant screening goes far beyond a basic credit check:

  • Comprehensive background check — criminal records, identity verification, and public records search
  • Reference verification — confirming previous landlord references are legitimate and contacting them directly
  • Financial records review — employment verification, bankruptcy history, liens and judgments
  • Credit history analysis — patterns of missed payments, collections, and financial instability
  • Eviction history — searching court records for past eviction filings, not just judgments

Many prospective tenants who appear qualified on paper have significant red flags in their history that a basic rental application process won't uncover. A professional screening catches what standard checks miss.

Pillar 2: Tenant/Renter Protection

Renters face their own risks — rental scams, predatory landlords, and properties that are not legally rentable. Before signing a lease or sending a deposit, prospective tenants should verify:

  • Landlord ownership verification — confirm the person renting the property actually owns or has authority to lease it
  • Liens and foreclosures — a property in foreclosure may leave you homeless mid-lease
  • Rental history research — has this property or landlord been the subject of complaints, litigation, or habitability violations?
  • Legal rentability — is the unit properly permitted and legally rentable under local codes?

Rental scams — where someone poses as a landlord for a property they don't own — are increasingly common, particularly in online listings. A simple investigation can prevent a devastating financial loss.

Pillar 3: Moving Company Vetting

Moving company fraud is a significant and growing problem. Fraudulent movers may hold your belongings hostage for inflated fees, damage property, or simply disappear. Before hiring a moving company:

  • Licensing and insurance verification — confirm the company holds valid licensing and adequate insurance coverage
  • Background checks on employees — workers will be in your home with access to all your possessions
  • Reputation research — beyond online reviews, investigate complaint histories with regulatory bodies
  • Fraud history — whether the company or its principals have been involved in consumer fraud complaints or litigation

Additional Due Diligence Services

Beyond these three pillars, Kanenson PI offers due diligence investigations for:

  • Business partner screening before entering a partnership or investment
  • Contractor verification for major home improvement projects
  • Investment research — verifying the legitimacy of investment opportunities and the people behind them
  • Online profile verification — confirming that someone you've met online is who they claim to be

Why Due Diligence Matters

The cost of due diligence is always less than the cost of a bad decision. A $300 background check that reveals a prospective tenant's eviction history or a moving company's fraud complaints is one of the best investments you can make. The consequences of skipping it — lost deposits, property damage, financial fraud, or worse — can cost thousands of dollars and months of stress.

Prevention is always less expensive than the cure.

Ready to protect your financial interests? Contact Kanenson PI for a free consultation on due diligence investigations tailored to your specific situation.