How to Check References of Prospective Tenants for Your Rental Property

Find out the background of prospective tenants by checking each applicant's credit history and references.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Financial Calculator
• Credit Reports
• Real Estate Attorneys
• Rental Applications
• Notebooks
• Personal Organizers
• Writing Pens

1. Require prospective tenants to complete written rental applications. Ask for credit histories, personal references, and names of employers and former landlords.
2. Consider charging a rental application fee to cover the costs (such as long distance phone calls) of checking references.
3. Verify employment status and bank information by contacting employers and financial institutions.
4. Get recommendations on the character and trustworthiness of potential renters by contacting personal references.
5. Contact former landlords to check on the payment records of tenants.
6. Order credit reports from a major credit reporting company - such as Equifax or Trans Union - to verify credit history and learn about any evictions or convictions.
7. Contact an agency that specializes in screening tenants - such as National Tenant Network - to receive reports on applicants' tenant histories.

Tips & Warnings

• An applicant's previous track record is a good indicator of future behavior.
• Landlords can legally reject applicants on the basis of credit history or background - but not because of age, gender, sexual orientation or other discriminatory reasons. Check with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about discrimination policies in rental housing.