A tenant screening background check can provide landlords and property managers with the information they need to make better decisions about their rental applicants. A background screening can help identify any issues affecting a resident’s housing situation.
Multiple databases are available for tenant screening, such as requesting credit reports and performing criminal record searches. We recommend looking into the following for complete screening of a potential tenant.
Criminal Records Check
One of the essential elements to consider before leasing an apartment or house is whether or not a potential tenant has been convicted of any felonies. Since some states outlaw renting to individuals with certain convictions, it’s good practice to get this information so you can avoid violating the law and ending up in court. For example, it is illegal to lease property to anyone with outstanding warrants or traffic violations in some states.
In addition, a criminal records check can also tell if an applicant has been convicted of misdemeanors that could make them unsuitable for residency. For example, recent convictions on the destruction of property or burglary may cause concern.
Sex Offender and Eviction Records Check
Another critical element to consider is whether someone has been accused or found guilty of sex crimes.
Sex offender registry checks have become widespread over the last few years. Every state in the U.S. has access to some sort of database that lists all sex offenders within their borders, and landlords are permitted — sometimes even required — to check for these records before approving a new tenant. Rejecting someone who has a sex offense conviction on their record may even be considered a valid legal defense for eviction if they’re discovered to have lied about their criminal history on their rental application.
Eviction records can provide insight into whether or not a tenant pays their rent on time and if past landlords had a hard time with this particular renter. If a prospective tenant has been evicted within the past three years, some landlords will choose not to rent to them at all. Others will only do so if the potential tenant has an excellent explanation for what happened (domestic violence) and proof that they’re no longer a threat (such as an interim rental record in another zip code).
Bankruptcies, Liens, or Judgments
Most landlords require credit reports when screening potential tenants, but they’re not helpful if you only compare them to the national average. You’ll learn much more by looking for issues not usually found in a regular credit report, such as bankruptcies, liens from unpaid debts, and civil judgments relating to legal matters like outstanding child support. Also, check to validate the social security number; you will be surprised by how many people use fictitious SSNs, leading to false credit reports. A civil records check can be helpful to reveal any recent lawsuits against potential tenants by past property owners or delinquent financial obligations.
Who Can Do Tenant Screening?
A residential property management company can usually get the information needed to conduct a tenant screening background check. However, suppose you are managing the property on your own as a landlord or renting out an individual house to tenants. In that case, the process of getting information on criminal records can be more complex and confusing. It might be worth your time finding a government agency or a company like First Contact HR, dedicated to providing this type of service.
The best course of action is to perform all available tenant screenings and compare them for the complete picture. If done diligently, this background check can be an excellent tool for tenant screening and choosing the best applicant for your rental property.
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