Ontario tenant credit/background check?

Question

What tenant credit/background services are you using in Ontario? I've seen some of the national ones advertising that they check things that can't be checked here in Ontario, so I need a province-specific answer.

Do you use any complete tenant screening services?

Thanks!

Do you use any complete tenant screening services?

Thanks!

Matt Geerts · Answer

Hi Minna! This is an ooold thread! I've been using RentCheck so far. However, the cost of $22 per report is much higher than if one were to join the Ontario Landlords Watch facebook group and sign up for... I may be wrong but I think it is TVS, where they offer $10 reports.

I can tell you that the RentCheck system is fast and easy, though visually a bit clunky (they need a non-technical designer on their webdev team to make it pretty and improve workflow/UX) and the quality of the reports is excellent.

I have seen a TVS report but not seriously compared them. I think the TVS report was cleaner and simpler, but I don't know if that means something is missing.

I pay for screening. I consider it a cost of doing business. I have already done a phone interview, observed them during showing, had them fill out an application and called their references and checked up on their social media. If I'm STILL interested in renting to them, the $22 is just cheap insurance.

Minna Hu · Answer

Some of the tenant screening service I investigated sends invitation to tenants, and ask them to pay for the service. One of my property are in small town, I wonder if tenants would walk away if they were to pay for the screening service.

I am thinking of refunding the fee if their application is accepted. And if an applicant knows that he/she has bad credit score, it is good for us if they does not accept credit check?

What is your experience or thoughts on that?

Rachel Oliver · Answer

Hey Stephen, there's another tenant-screening option out there that is worth checking out... https://www.honestrenter.com

They offer renter credit report checks for a really low price $3.99/month. This company is out of BC.

Also, as someone with one door, you may get some value from a couple of great events that are taking place in Toronto area this week. One is focused on helping beginner real estate investors become more confident. The other one is a large 2-day forum taking place March 5-6. Feel free to direct message me -- happy to share the links.

Matt Geerts · Answer

Thanks @Luc Boiron, @Stephen E. and @Samuel Sadore. I just signed up for LMPA. OLA has scared me away with their lack of transparency and 99/mo for REIN is just ridiculous for a guy with one door.

Lee Jackson · Answer

Great info guys!   I was unaware that there where site that did credit checks!

Stephen E. · Answer

@Samuel Sedore Which site? Rent Check, FRPO or LPMA? Rent Check's web pages are a little dated but the reports work just fine.

Samuel Sedore · Answer

Okay good to know thanks! I generally just charge the client for it, but its good information to know going forward.

Whats your opinion of the layout of that site, I had to do my research looks like a cheesy scam at first.

Stephen E. · Answer

@Samuel SedoreIts the same one. Members of LPMA get reduced rates on Rent Check credit reports as well as FRPO. If you run more than ten a year you will probably make up the membership fee for a landlord's association just on savings on Rent Check reports.

Samuel Sedore · Answer

Whats the URL for that? Or are we perhaps using the same one?