Background report reading

[Abdessettar Ibourki]

Beside the obvious cases (sex offenders, evictions), how you guys go about translating the details provided in the background report to make a decision in selecting tenants?

Thanks.

[Nathan Gesner]

1. The report should have details verifying their identity. Match that to a government-issued picture ID, their application, and other documents.

2. Read the credit report. Look for judgments, collections, late payments, etc. Look at their credit score as this is a significant factor in the financial stability of the individual.

3. Criminal and eviction is pretty self-explanatory but you should develop a policy about what crimes justify denying someone and which ones don't. I also look at how long it's been since the crime was committed and the amount of time passed since they served time. For example, a rapist and someone with three DUIs re not the same. A person that used cocaine 10 years ago that has been out and clean for five years is not the same as a drug user that just got out of prison last month.

4. Addresses listed on the credit report should match what's listed on the application.