All Forum Posts by: Alex Hamilton

Anybody can apply and put false information on the rental application. This is how identities are stolen. Make sure you are doing your due diligence as a landlord and confirm the information provided.

The first step of tenant screening is identity development. Obtain some form of government issued photo identification when accepting an application. Make sure information on the application matches the identification they provide. At this point, you may not even know the name of the person living at your property. The tenant screening report you ordered may be for a completely different person, affecting their credit and reputation negatively.

Always use your own vendors. It's quite possible this guy's "alcoholic brother" is the exterminator working on your property. He'll write a receipt of services that were never performed and now you're reimbursing him. It's another scam that professional tenants use to take advantage of unsuspecting landlords.

He broke a half dozen clauses in your lease agreement? After breaking one, you should begin the eviction process immediately and make sure you establish procedures for screening future applicants, as recommended by @Michele Fischer. Good luck!

The simple answer is - charge the applicant whatever you paid for the screening report.

The cost of a screening report can range from $15 - $45, depending on how much information you obtain. The max price allowed, as of December 2013, is $45.16 according to the Consumer Price Index. You should not charge the applicant more than your cost of the tenant screening report. 

I consider it a red flag if an applicant can't afford the screening cost. Each property is different, so your screening criteria may change between properties. Perhaps you obtain more information from prospects applying at Class A properties, therefore the screening cost will be higher. Discuss your property status and goals with your Consumer Reporting Agency to customize a report package(s) that are right for you.

It sounds like the negative rental reference would be just cause for denial. I'm still curious why the landlord didn't file an eviction. Don't forget to send the Adverse Action Notice. Also, make sure you keep all documents associated with this applicant for 25 months in case they file a dispute.

Is the rental reference your only source of screening information? Did the landlord serve any notices or file an eviction? Consider contacting the former landlord, since a current landlord may lie about their current tenants. Believe it or not, this happens.

You should obtain a credit report and eviction record search to see if these applicants have a history of breaking their lease and/or leaving property damaged. You should accept them if they meet your screening criteria and make sure your pet policy and amount of occupants is clearly stated in your lease. 

If you do deny them, be sure to send an Adverse Action Notice to remain compliant with the FCRA. Also, document everything to protect yourself in case you are sued for discrimination. I'm available to help screen your prospective tenants, so feel free to contact me directly if needed. Good luck!

Yes @Account Closed my agency is in the US. In Belgium, you can obtain criminal records from your local court. You will need the applicant's name, address, DOB and signed authorization. You will also need to specify the purpose for which you are requesting the criminal records. Feel free to message me directly with additional questions about criminal searches.

Some countries don't report (or even collect) positive credit information, only negative. There are often times special consent forms required, several types of identification or even fingerprint verification to release consumer information. The cost for international information is significantly higher than domestic reports.

I would recommend a couple lower cost options. Process a Domestic Nationwide Criminal Search to find out if your applicant is on the OFAC List or NSA Terrorist Watch List. You could also require income verification and call the references listed on their rental application. 

Your Consumer Reporting Agency should be able to customize an international report to meet your needs or refer you to another company. I'm a tenant screening specialist and can help you obtain domestic or international data. Feel free to contact me directly with any questions about the subject. Good luck!

I work for a tenant screening agency and would be happy to explain some options to you. Perhaps we can work together to identify some additional ways of improving your bottom line. Feel free to reach out to me directly!

I'm a professional in the tenant screening field. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Alex Hamilton

I'll address your question about why people are willing to pay rent higher than the cost of a mortgage. A mortgage is not the only cost of owning a property. Renters don't have to deal with property taxes, insurance, repair & maintenance costs, etc. They are free to change their living locations upon lease expiration. 

Since getting a loan is harder these days, a renter might not even qualify for a mortgage. Tenant screening is the best way of avoiding the high cost of potentially problematic tenants and evictions, as @Steve Vaughan mentioned. Make sure you qualify prospective renters properly to limit your exposure to litigation.

Feel free to contact me directly for support with tenant screening. Good luck!

Hello BP,

My name is Alex Hamilton and I work for a tenant screening agency that helps property managers qualify prospective renters. I'm passionate about helping owners protect their assets and identifying ways of increasing investment property revenues. I like to discuss new leasing technologies that streamline the tenant placement process. I'm based in California and hoping to expand my nationwide network of contacts!