Do landlords report bad tenants?

[Jeanette J.]

I'm about to be a first time landlord and I've read so much on these forums about running background, credit, criminal, etc. checks and there are many websites that offer those services. I'm just wondering where those websites get their information on past rental history. Do we, as landlords, have a place to call to report bad tenants? If they don't pay their rent for over 30 days, do we report them to the credit bureaus? I'm just curious... someone has to report bad tenants so that landlords can get accurate information.

[Aly W.]

Be sure to check the property tax records to verify if their current or previous "landlord" actually owns the property. I've caught 2 applicants lying about that one. Their landlord was either their friend or relative.