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How Can You Conduct a Tenant Background Check?

How Can You Conduct a Tenant Background Check?
By Roger D. Eagleton - Friday, April 21, 2023

Your tenant isn't paying their rent on time. They're keeping neighbors up at all hours of the night. They're being a nuisance in general.

You may have been able to avoid this had you run a proper background check on them. But that begs the question: how do you conduct a tenant background check?

That's where this article comes in. Without further ado, here's how to run a criminal background check to find great tenants.

Obtain Consent

First and foremost, you need to obtain consent from the prospective tenant. If you run a background check on a prospective tenant without first receiving consent from them to do so, you will be breaking the law.

It's easiest to just obtain consent within the rental application. Include language informing the prospective tenant of your intent to run a background check, letting them know that their signature enables you to legally do so.

Get Prospective Tenant Information

In addition to obtaining consent, you'll also need to obtain the prospective tenant's personal info. This includes their name, date of birth, and social security number. You'll need this information in order to carry out a full background check.

Find a Reputable Background Check Service

Next, you'll need to find a reputable background check service. There are a number of companies that can run a tenant screening for you. Find one that has a solid reputation, pay the required fee, and submit the prospective tenant's personal info.

Regardless, though, make sure that the chosen company is approved by the Federal Trade Commission.

Note that most companies charge $30 to $40 for such screenings. You can pay this out of your own pocket. However, it's customary for the prospective tenant to pay it in the form of an application fee.

Are you curious to learn more about some of the best background check companies? These include but aren't limited to GoodHire, Sterling, and Ameriwide Screeners.

Set Screening Criteria

All sorts of information can show up on a background check. Some of this is substantial enough to deny an applicant. Note, though, that not every red mark needs to be a reason for denial.

Before receiving the background check, you're advised to set screening criteria so that you know what to check for. Will you penalize an applicant because they committed a felony as a minor? Will you deny any applicant with an eviction on their record?

This is all up to you but is extremely important to consider. If you need help setting such criteria, consider hiring a property management company.

Running a Tenant Background Check Is Vital

When it comes to finding tenants, running a tenant background check is vital. It not only ensures that you're taking on respectable tenants but also reduces the risk of complications arising in the future.

Are you, by chance, in need of property management services? If so, and if you're in the San Mateo, CA area, we here at Five Star Property Management are the people to see.

Contact us now to get to discuss our services in greater detail!

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Author

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Roger D. Eagleton
President / Broker
Looking for a property management expert who can take your rental properties to the next level? Look no further than Roger D. Eagleton, a true seasoned professional with a diverse background in real estate. After earning his degree from California State University, Bakersfield, Roger began his career in the real estate industry with several national banking and lending institutions, sharpening his skills in real estate finance. He later founded Energy Real Estate and Five Star Property Manageme...
Looking for a property management expert who can take your rental properties to the next level? Look no further than Roger D. Eagleton, a true seasoned professional with a diverse background in real estate. After earning his degree from California State University, Bakersfield, Roger began his career in the real estate industry with several national banking and lending institutions, sharpening his skills in real estate finance. He later founded Energy Real Estate and Five Star Property Management and has since been committed to providing his clients with the highest quality property management and real estate services. With an extensive knowledge of residential income property, Roger is well-equipped to take on the unique challenges of managing rental properties. He works closely with private investors and court-appointed conservators to ensure that fiduciary properties are managed to the fullest potential. He also has a wealth of experience managing single-family homes, apartment buildings, and commercial properties and holds a California Real Estate Broker’s License, BRE# 01791264. But Roger's expertise doesn't end there. He is also a championship-winning professional race car driver, who used his platform to give back to the community through various philanthropic activities and charities around the greater bay area, including serving as a driving coach for NASA’s Teen Car Control Clinic. He understands the importance of safety, and his coaching has helped new drivers improved confidence and experience on the road which ultimately saves many lives. When you partner with Roger and his team, you can trust that your rental properties are in the hands of an experienced and dedicated professional who always prioritizes the investment goals of his clients. With Roger's knowledge, experience, and passion, you can rest assured that your rental properties will be managed to the highest standard, maximizing returns and minimizing headaches for you as the owner.
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