In today's world, crime and corruption is at an all time high and landlords need to feel safe and secure when the key to their property is being handed over to a stranger. There has been a steady increase in tenant fraud, involving property damage, unpaid monthly payments, criminal activity, and false credit reports. Tenant screening is an essential process to ensure the prospective renter qualifies to live in the property. Proper screening involves many different aspects, some of the most important being discussed here.
1. The tenant must provide adequate identification. Identification is a first round screening step which involves verifying the names, addresses, and social security numbers with the rental application. These details should match and be double-checked for accuracy. Proper identification includes drivers licenses, birth certificates, or a valid US passport.
2. A rental application is essential. It should include fields such as name, address, primary and secondary phone numbers, salary and work information, and bank accounts. The application should also ask questions relating to credit history, and their ability to make monthly rental payments based on their current salary and outstanding debts. The prospective tenant should also list two references who can be contacted for further screening and verification.
3. Obtaining a tenant background check is one of the most important actions a landlord can perform. These reports provide a detailed list of criminal activity, nationwide arrests, and sex offender status. They also detail the tenant's personal information which should be compared to the rental application for accuracy.
The background check will also provide information relating to previous addresses, employers, and alias information. As stated before, it is imperative to compare these reports with the rental application for accuracy. If these records do not match, there should be some concern and proper action should be taken.
4. The last essential factor involves obtaining a credit history. This information should be included in the tenant background check. The report should include late payments, bankruptcies, and specific addresses of residence. These reports should play a major part in the landlord's decision making process.
Landlords today are generally not responsible for the fees associated with the background checks. It is very common in the real estate market today to include these charges in the rental application fees. The tenant should be aware of the charges and what they are being used for. It is their right to know. If there are any complaints, then the landlord can make a responsible decision as to the character of the individual as this may also be used as further tenant screening.
You do not have to become a victim of tenant fraud if you carry out these essential steps. They are not difficult to perform and they could potentially save you thousands of dollars and hours of heartache. Today, good renters are hard to come by; however, you do not have to rely on your intuition. Tenant screening with proper tenant background checks will detail all of the information you need to make an educated and researched opinion in order to protect your property and your family. - 15224
1. The tenant must provide adequate identification. Identification is a first round screening step which involves verifying the names, addresses, and social security numbers with the rental application. These details should match and be double-checked for accuracy. Proper identification includes drivers licenses, birth certificates, or a valid US passport.
2. A rental application is essential. It should include fields such as name, address, primary and secondary phone numbers, salary and work information, and bank accounts. The application should also ask questions relating to credit history, and their ability to make monthly rental payments based on their current salary and outstanding debts. The prospective tenant should also list two references who can be contacted for further screening and verification.
3. Obtaining a tenant background check is one of the most important actions a landlord can perform. These reports provide a detailed list of criminal activity, nationwide arrests, and sex offender status. They also detail the tenant's personal information which should be compared to the rental application for accuracy.
The background check will also provide information relating to previous addresses, employers, and alias information. As stated before, it is imperative to compare these reports with the rental application for accuracy. If these records do not match, there should be some concern and proper action should be taken.
4. The last essential factor involves obtaining a credit history. This information should be included in the tenant background check. The report should include late payments, bankruptcies, and specific addresses of residence. These reports should play a major part in the landlord's decision making process.
Landlords today are generally not responsible for the fees associated with the background checks. It is very common in the real estate market today to include these charges in the rental application fees. The tenant should be aware of the charges and what they are being used for. It is their right to know. If there are any complaints, then the landlord can make a responsible decision as to the character of the individual as this may also be used as further tenant screening.
You do not have to become a victim of tenant fraud if you carry out these essential steps. They are not difficult to perform and they could potentially save you thousands of dollars and hours of heartache. Today, good renters are hard to come by; however, you do not have to rely on your intuition. Tenant screening with proper tenant background checks will detail all of the information you need to make an educated and researched opinion in order to protect your property and your family. - 15224
About the Author:
Guard yourself from tenant fraud. Get a tenant background check today! Avoid the loss of time, money, and property value. Determine out how to prevent the common mistakes with proper tenant screening.
