Q: Housing Law in Las Cruces (credit, apartments, high income)

[humbert]

Housing in Las Cruces

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I have a question for all of you housing experts in Las Cruces NM!

How do I go about doing a credit or a backround check on my tenants. What is the process, who do I contact, where do I go, how much will they charge? And can we also do fingerprinting when requesting a background check?

Also, am I allowed to ask for their social security card to verify their identity (for background check and what not), including drivers license?

Also, what would be the proper wording to put on a lease to charge a non-refundable move-in fee?

For those of you who know fair housing law in Las Cruces NM, do you know if there are different vacate timetables for different types of dwellings (such as double white mobile homes, efficiency apartments)? And if so what are they?

As a landlord I am concerned about getting the proper tenants. The last thing I want is someone skipping out on the rent!

[ibarrio]

You will have a very difficult time renting in Las Cruces if you are going to make people go through all that you wrote (fingerprints?). I understand the credit check and background but a non-refundable move-in fee is probably a no go in Las Cruces. You will not get many people that would be willing to pay that.

And to be really honest most people renting in Las Cruces are going to be young...college aged and poor. Incomes are not high in the area...and people that have high incomes in the area own their homes.

Good luck and learn the laws of the area. Judges tend to be tough on landlords that do not know the laws.