Rowlett Rental Fraud Leads to 20-Year Prison Sentence
A landlord lost her home to foreclosure after a tenant used a stolen identity to secure the rental property.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Apartments
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A Rowlett judge has sentenced a woman to 20 years in prison for rental fraud after she used a stolen identity to secure a lease. The scheme resulted in the property owner losing her home to foreclosure due to months of unpaid rent.
Why it matters
Rental fraud can have devastating financial consequences for small-scale landlords, potentially leading to the loss of their own properties. This case highlights the risks property owners face when vetting tenants and the importance of strictly verifying identities during the application process.
The defendant, 51-year-old Heather Schwab, must pay $40,000 in restitution for the Rowlett property. She was convicted of fraudulently signing a lease for property valued between $30,000 and $150,000.
The players
Heather Schwab
The 51-year-old defendant who used fraudulent identities to secure housing while accumulating 36 evictions over 25 years.
The details
Schwab executed the fraud in 2023 by signing her father's name to a rental lease to secure the premises. Once inside, she exploited legal eviction proceedings to occupy the home without paying rent for months, ultimately causing the owner to default on her mortgage. This cycle of housing exploitation mirrors a pattern identified by her 36 prior evictions across Texas and Colorado.
Timeline
2018: Schwab received a prior felony conviction in Colorado.
2023: Schwab signed the rental lease using a stolen identity.
August 31, 2026: A jury delivered the guilty verdict in the fraud case.
The Home Front
This case illustrates the extreme risk posed to individual property owners by serial housing fraud, a challenge that persists despite existing background check regulations. It follows a multi-state pattern of exploitation that predates the 2018 Colorado conviction of the same defendant.
Property owners should always verify the identity of applicants against government-issued documentation to avoid lease fraud. If you suspect an applicant is using a false identity, contact a local attorney or housing enforcement authority to review your vetting process.
The takeaway
Fraudulent rental agreements can result in long-term financial ruin for property owners who are unable to cover mortgage payments. Always maintain strict application protocols, including verifying the identity and credit history of all potential tenants to prevent future losses.
Further reading
For tips on protecting your rental property, visit Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Irving Weekly.
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Should local authorities require mandatory background checks for all private residential rental agreements?
