If you plan to rent a property you own to a private person, you should certainly run a background check on them. This is highly recommended to ensure that you will get your rental income on time every month and that you will not run into any trouble with the law due to your tenant’s activities. It is now easier than ever to carry out such a verification thanks to the Internet and the opportunities it offers.

legal considerations

It is important to note that running a background check on a tenant is perfectly legal. It gives you access to information that is available to the general public. Public records provide essential details that will allow you to have complete confidence in the person who will live on your property. If the prospective tenant’s consent must be obtained to access certain information, you must do so.

Valuable information

Criminal records may be accessed by any member of the public, including the owner, as part of a background check. It is crucial that these are verified, as any arrest made on the property can have serious legal consequences for the owner. They can also damage his personal reputation.

Eviction records are also public and should be used as part of the check. You have the right to know if the person has been evicted for non-payment of rent or other problems in the past. This will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to accept your application.

You should definitely get the person’s employment information as part of the background check. You can check if they are employed, what position they hold and how long they have been on the job and how much they are paid. You must be sure that the potential tenant has the financial means to pay the monthly rent in full.

A credit check must also be completed as part of the tenant screening process. You should know if the person is experiencing financial difficulties at this time, as this may affect his or her ability to pay rent. Any previous debt problems may also affect his decision.

How to Run a Background Check

There are specialized tenant screening services that any landlord can take advantage of. Many are available directly online. You can also run the check yourself using online services to access public records.

You should definitely run a background check on a potential renter to make sure the person is trustworthy and financially stable.