How do I check credit and background?

[Denise Holder]

Hello!

I have my first tenants, I'm to the point where I need to check their backgrounds and credit.  How do I do it? I have their ssn's, thought I could do it, but it does identity checks to make sure it is them.  How does a landlord check prospective tenants credit.  Also, back ground/criminal ect..

Thank you!

[Alison Brenner]

Hi Denise, Congrats on your first application! I prescreen my applicants first. I have the applicant fill out an income verification form and a rental history form. I also have the applicant submit documentation showing 3x the rent per month for the three months prior to applying. If there is an employer, I contact the employer and the current property manager or landlord. Most people recommend contacting the previous and current landlord. I then ask the applicant to apply through Rent Spree (rentspree.com). You will need to create an account and property profile, and then enter the applicant's email into the system. The applicant will be invited to apply via email. Once they submit the application, Rent Spree will send you a credit and criminal history/background report. I recommend writing out your applicant criteria and distributing it to prospectives. You also want to make sure you get a copy of an identifying document, such as a DL, to confirm they are who the say they are.. Hope this helps.

I think BP offers some services as well. I am not familiar with them.