Background Checks for Rental History
Before a landlord hands over the keys to an apartment, home or business property, he wants to know the tenant is financially secure, reliable and honest. A key part of a tenant background check is that person's rental history, both to verify the information on a rental application, as well as to establish the tenant's identity, any criminal record, credit history, court cases and evictions.
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Identity Verification
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In checking a person's rental history, a background check verifies that the potential tenant is the same as the person identified on the application, using identifiers such as the Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, previous landlords, roommates, neighbors.
Criminal Records
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A landlord wants to know if a potential tenant has a history of criminal activity, especially if the activity affected his past living situations. (Did neighbors complain of loud parties? Was the potential tenant charged with any criminal acts at former residences?) A criminal record check may also include a sexual offender database search, a statewide criminal courts search, a Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate search and a search of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) database (which lists criminals and terrorists around the world).
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Credit Check
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A landlord wants a potential tenant who didn't have problems paying past rents on time. With the consent of the prospective tenant, a background check includes a credit report from one of major credit reporting bureaus, which includes payment histories, debt load, collections, judgments, evictions and bankruptcies
Personal References
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A landlord typically wants a reference from past landlords, with answers to how the person maintained the property and if she left it in good condition. Other personal references, such as family members and business associates, might be asked how long they've known the prospective tenant, and if they view the person to be reliable and honest. A background check might also include interviews with past residents who lived in a complex where the applicant resided.
Professional License
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Many companies and individuals conduct businesses that are required by the state to be licensed. When renting business property, a landlord might verify a potential tenant's rental history to verify that then, as now, any required licensure is in effect, if there are any documented complaints or other issues within those license records, and if the potential tenant conducted business under other company names. A landlord might also confirm names of other owners, principals and their contact information.
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References
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