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I use TenantBackgroundSearch.com. There are 3 different versions that give different depths of data. I use the 2nd one that gives a FICO score, a credit report with all accounts, past address, employment, yada....
Don't hesitate to use 2 separate services if you think it's necessary. The reports are only $20 - $40 each. Cheap insurance.
Credit score is bar far the number oine indicator for a successful LL experience.
What do they give you in terms of criminal record? National or County level checks? Do they go to the counties where the person lived in the past 7 years? Or just the current one?
National criminal background checks are worthless.
Credit score is bar far the number oine indicator for a successful LL experience.
What do they give you in terms of criminal record? National or County level checks? Do they go to the counties where the person lived in the past 7 years? Or just the current one?
National criminal background checks are worthless.
Nationwide Criminal Database. Anything that shows up has a case#, a brief description, final disposition and they name the court. You can directly contact that court for any specific case info/reports. I've had cases come up on the report that were over 10 years old, and I do know that a generic nationwide report is sketchy, but it's at least something to go on.
I do my own court records search (depending on the state and how available the info is) and anything else that I can think of in addition to the comprehensive report. But as far as a packet of basic info, the service I spoke of is pretty good IME.
Nationwide Criminal Database. Anything that shows up has a case#, a brief description, final disposition and they name the court. You can directly contact that court for any specific case info/reports. I've had cases come up on the report that were over 10 years old, and I do know that a generic nationwide report is sketchy, but it's at least something to go on.
I do my own court records search (depending on the state and how available the info is) and anything else that I can think of in addition to the comprehensive report. But as far as a packet of basic info, the service I spoke of is pretty good IME.
You will find (some) 10-year old case on a National Check, but not 2 year old cases. Some states do not provide misdemeanors, or felonies pleaded down to a misdemeanor. Some send the information late. Some cities and counties do not send it at all. None send open or "Dismissed with conditions" cases.
Find a service that give county level checks. If a credit score is 700+, there are generally no criminal issues.
Find a service that give county level checks. If a credit score is 700+, there are generally no criminal issues.
I agree. Congruency with others aspects of a search tells a better story. Even if someone had a felony 5 years ago, but is current on their credit accounts and employment is stable, who cares what they did 5 years ago?
I agree. Congruency with others aspects of a search tells a better story. Even if someone had a felony 5 years ago, but is current on their credit accounts and employment is stable, who cares what they did 5 years ago?
Maybe the neighbors in the next apartment that you are trying to keep might care?
It depends on the crime, and what the person has been doing for five years. If they were clean due to the fact they were incarcerated, that is a problem.
I go back 10 years for major crimes, five years for any crimes. Too many (3 in 5 years) driving without a license, no insurance, Disorderly conduct, etc. shows me you do not need to follow rules (in your own mind).
Just one, "Giving False Name to the Police" will bump you in my application process.
Before a LL even takes an application, they should know what criteria they are willing to accept. Far too many LLs just go by a "gut feel", and get lucky. Fortunately, for property investors like myself, they often get burned and want to run away from a bad property. I have had bad properties become my biggest profitability centers.
Maybe the neighbors in the next apartment that you are trying to keep might care?
It depends on the crime, and what the person has been doing for five years. If they were clean due to the fact they were incarcerated, that is a problem.
I go back 10 years for major crimes, five years for any crimes. Too many (3 in 5 years) driving without a license, no insurance, Disorderly conduct, etc. shows me you do not need to follow rules (in your own mind).
Just one, "Giving False Name to the Police" will bump you in my application process.
Before a LL even takes an application, they should know what criteria they are willing to accept. Far too many LLs just go by a "gut feel", and get lucky. Fortunately, for property investors like myself, they often get burned and want to run away from a bad property. I have had bad properties become my biggest profitability centers.
When you see a clear difference from the felony period to the present, IE evidence of a clean and stable individual, why let a clean stable and presumably responsible tenant go to another LL? I have no personal responsibility to further 'punish' a past mistake. An applicant's background and current record is examined and I make a good business decision. If I have doubts I may require an increased security to deposit or add certain terms and conditions to the agreement, but blindly turning someone away over a past transgression is over-stepping my personal authority and is a poor way to operate a business.
And OF COURSE if the applicant in question has maintained a sub-par record they're rejected. Purely based on business risks - not because I'm some self-appointed warden.
When you see a clear difference from the felony period to the present, IE evidence of a clean and stable individual, why let a clean stable and presumably responsible tenant go to another LL?
I have no personal responsibility to further 'punish' a past mistake. An applicant's background and current record is examined and I make a good business decision. If I have doubts I may require an increased security to deposit or add certain terms and conditions to the agreement, but blindly turning someone away over a past transgression is over-stepping my personal authority and is a poor way to operate a business.
And OF COURSE if the applicant in question has maintained a sub-par record they're rejected. Purely based on business risks - not because I'm some self-appointed warden.
Everyone, once they are out of prison and no longer on probation, has paid for their mistake.
The difference is that I have clearly defined written acceptance criteria. HUD could file a lawsuit against a LL that simply said "No Felonies", as that is no longer acceptable. If you have different criteria for different applicants, that is an issue too.
I let plenty of tenants walk away, there are plenty more of them waiting. AND, you can always increase demand by lowering price. If I have a group of 10 prospects, and only one is bad but I do not know which one, I would rather pass on the entire bunch. If I have doubts about someone, I pass. I owe it to my other tenants not to bring a person they may be uncomfortable with into my building. If there was a problem with the past criminal person, I suspect that I could also be sued by existing tenants that had the issue.
Credit score, to me, is a lot more important than criminal record. However, you need to have a proven clean background for several years.
TenantMagic.net Credit, criminal and eviction. Applicant pays. Great customer service. You invite an applicant with an email. The applicant invites co-apps. You are notified when they all finish. Reports available in about 5 minutes after the last applicant finishes identity verification. Applicants are instructed to notify TenantMagic if they have any issues.
TenantMagic.net Credit, criminal and eviction. Applicant pays. Great customer service. You invite an applicant with an email. The applicant invites co-apps. You are notified when they all finish. Reports available in about 5 minutes after the last applicant finishes identity verification. Applicants are instructed to notify TenantMagic if they have any issues.
Do they do county level criminal checks? Appears to be YES. For all counties the applicants live in for the past seven years? Not sure.
Do they give a FICO score to you? A score, maybe not FICO. Do they check past LLs or employers to do income verification? No.
I looked up a few answers and updated my post.
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Great solution for screening
