Moving is consistently rated one of the most stressful activities of all time. It requires packing up your entire past.
Renters have the extra stress of having landlords look into the past to see if they're a fit candidate. A bit of property management advice helps them do this legally and with less stress on both sides.
Read on to learn the process of performing a tenant criminal background check in San Diego.
Create a Rental Application
One of the best tenant screening tips is that detailed applications are like pre-screening. Lay down your expectations and ask for all the information you need.
Don't include any sections or questions that could be considered discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act. Avoid asking about:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
- Familial status
- Disability
- Source of income
- Sexual orientation
Get Written Consent
Include a consent form along with the application.
It should ask for permission and state the purpose of the criminal background screening This keeps you compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Use Professionals to Access and Verify Records
Use authorized databases to look for convictions, arrests, and pending charges. Information that can't be used in tenant criminal background checks includes:
- Arrests that didn't lead to convictions
- Convictions that are sealed or expunged
- Juvenile adjudications
- Participation in pre or post-trial diversion programs
A recent survey found that 70.7% of apartment owners or managers saw an increase in fraud on applicants this past year. That's why one of the best renting safety tips is to verify every piece of information you find with trustworthy sources. It keeps this fraud from slipping through.
Outsourcing the process to a tenant screening service gives you the most comprehensive results. They can provide not only the tenant's criminal history but also their:
- Income history
- Credit score
- Employment history
- Rental history
- Eviction history
Interpret the Results and Perform Interviews
Tenant screening helps with secure tenant selection, but the final choice is yours.
If they have a criminal record, does it affect their ability to be a responsible tenant? If they have a poor credit score, can they still pay rent?
An interview gives you a sense of their personality. See how well they communicate with you. Answer any questions to prevent disputes later.
Notify the Applicant
Let applicants know what information you found in your background checks and how it affected your decision.
If you choose to accept them, let them know what to do next. Give them instructions on signing a lease and sending in a security deposit.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act says, if you deny them, you must give them an adverse action notice explaining why. You can't deny them solely because of a criminal record. You can do so for other issues such as a failure to meet income requirements or a negative rental history.
Who to Hire to Perform a Tenant Criminal Background Check
Completing a tenant criminal background check involves creating an application, gathering and verifying information, and notifying applicants if they've been accepted.
Harland Property Management has been providing property management in San Diego for over 15 years. We have extensive knowledge of the local market and use local contractors.
Our experienced team is full of clear communicators and expert negotiators. Contact us to increase your profits and peace of mind today.
