How to Check a Renter's Credit Application
A credit report can tell you a lot about a potential tenant. When you rent a home to someone, you want to know that he will pay you in a timely manner. Checking a renter's credit history can help you determine whether or not he usually pays his debts on time or if he has been sued by creditors in the past.
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Instructions
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Have the prospective tenant fill out a rental application that includes her name, current address, Social Security number and birth date; you will need this information in order to obtain a credit report.
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Notify the applicant that you will obtain a credit report and make sure you get permission in writing before attempting to do so. Many property managers include this information in the rental application itself.
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Select a company from which to purchase the credit report. If you manage many properties, you may want to use a service that provides comprehensive tenant screening in addition to a credit report, such as E-Renter or CitiCredit. If all you need is a credit report, you can purchase an individual Identity Report from Equifax, or obtain a report through a company like Tenant Verification Service, Inc.
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Visit the website of the company that you wish to use and follow the steps to register and purchase a report.
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Notify the applicant of the decision. If you deny a tenant's application based on his credit report, you are legally obligated to tell him the name of the agency that prepared the report.
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Tips & Warnings
Checking a renter's credit can get expensive; many landlords charge an application fee to cover the cost of the credit check.
