Checklist for Screening Rental Applicants and Tenants

• Before accepting tenants, a landlord should examine their history. Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images

  Before renting out property to prospective tenants, smart landlords and owners run a background check to verify credit, rental history, and a clean police record. By taking this relatively easy step, lessors can avoid the trouble associated with a difficult tenant who can cause them financial and legal problems down the road. Every background check should include several particular features.

Social Security Number

• Verify the Social Security numbers of all tenants. The Social Security Administration can give you the name associated with the number, as well as the date and place of issuance. A valid Social Security number allows an accurate and complete job history check, as well as a good credit and criminal background check.

Evictions and Landlords

• Use an online evictions database to check for prior evictions. The database searches county court records for past eviction actions, in the state of your choice or nationwide. If you find a match, verify the information with the tenant and ask for an explanation before taking any action. Call her current landlord and ask about the reason for the termination of the prior rental.

Civil Judgments

• Use an online database to search for past bankruptcies, tax liens, lawsuits and civil judgments entered against the prospective tenants, either in your state or nationwide. Different states have different reporting guidelines. Make sure that the information is accurate by searching by full name and date of birth, as well as verifying the information with the tenant.

Criminal History

• Use a multi-jurisdictional database to check for arrest warrants and any criminal process against the tenants. These sites search available online court records; however, many jurisdictions restrict access to this information and will not release it to private parties. Your local police department has access to the National Criminal Information Center, operated by the FBI, and you may be able to arrange a more accurate and throughout criminal background check with their assistance. Each state also has a sex offender registry that you may be able to search online.

Credit

• With a valid Social Security number, you will be able to purchase a credit check from one of the three major credit-reporting agencies. These reports show Fair Isaac Corporation or FICO credit scores, as well as current information on credit accounts, installment loans, and any bankruptcies filed within the last 10 years. The agencies have restricted the information they release to private parties, however, and you may have to go through a tenant-screening agency to get the full report.

Employment

• Verify the employment history given to you by the prospects by calling the employers listed and making sure that your future tenants have current, permanent, gainful employment. Call past employers and inquire about the reason for the job termination.