Though state laws may differ slightly on which a landlord is permitted to check when asking about the background of a prospective tenant, all countries require the landlord have the applicant’s permission to run a background and credit check. To protect against renting to tenants who might not pay their rents or maintenance for a residence correctly, there are a few steps through the screening process that landlords may take to protect themselves.
Asking Interview Questions
When interviewing a prospective tenant, besides asking the questions like name, current address and telephone number, you might ask about the type of work the individual does and where he’s employed. You might also wish to ask how a lot of folks are living in the house, assuming you just don ’t ask the ages of any household members. A landlord has the right to place screening guidelines as long as they are lawful, honest and applied to all applicants equally. You can screen out applicants who have certain criminal convictions, a poor credit history, inadequate income, a former eviction through a court order or poor references. Landlords may also screen out applicants who have provided false information on the rental application.
Running a Background Check
Most landlords run credit checks until they ask tenants to sign a lease. Since background checks have become standard practice when interviewing prospective tenants, several lease applicants now provide landlords with a copy of their credit score and credit report once they come to observe the rental unit. In order for a landlord to request a credit check, the applicant should provide her social security number and sign a written release giving her permission. Based on how detailed a credit score you want, you are able to get information related to foreclosures, bankruptcies and defaulted loans. A landlord may hire a screening agency to obtain information on an applicant’s credit history and conduct a criminal records search. You will need the applicant’s social security number and driver’s license number to request a criminal history check.
Verifying References
When checking into an offender ’s background, if possible speak to a prior landlord other than the one from whom the tenant currently rents. The current landlord might not be honest with you if he needs the tenant to vacate. Rather than verifying applicant information themselves, a few landlords hire a tenant screening or reference-checking service to do the background checking account for them. Whether a landlord performs a background check hires or herself an agency to do it, she has to take care to adhere to the guidelines of the Fair Credit Reporting Act when using consumer reports to screen lease applicants. A reference checking service may contact any parties recorded on the rental application. But if information a landlord receives from a lawyer influences her decision not to lease to the applicant, under the conditions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the landlord must send the applicant a negative action notice. The note must state the lease application was denied because of information contained in a consumer report.
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