TENANT SCREENING TIPS
1. Always use a preprinted rental application whether it is our generic form or a special company printed form.
2. Full Name: Should include first, middle and last names and any generation, such as Jr, Sr, etc. Include all nicknames and aliases previously used. Do this for all persons to occupy the property. Check to make sure that the drivers license, pay-stub, social security information match up.
3. Date of Birth: Obtain a birth date for each person and likewise verify the with IDCheck or Credit Report.
4. Driver license Number and State: Know what a valid license looks like and examine the driver license for genuineness. Be sure to check the full name, the address, the date of birth, the driver license number, the signature and most of all, the picture. Compare all these items with the data on the rental application form and with the physicality of the applicant. Also IDCheck will verify the applicants drivers license number and state of issuance.
5. Employment History: Get the business's name, supervisor's name, phone number and business address. Ask for copies of applicants pay stubs. Confirm and cross-reference all information with original application. If the prospective tenant is self-employed, ask for copies of tax returns. IDCheck may provide the name & date of Employement.
6.Reference Verification:Have at least three references of persons who know the applicant for a minimum of three years. Make sure the references are checked and confirmed. Although most references will not say something bad about applicant, references can be used as good sources for skip tracing should it be needed later.
7. Landlord History & Movement Patterns: Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of last three Landlords. It is important to check present and prior landlords, however our professional screeners our careful as present landlord may not provide negative information in order to get rid of problem applicant. IDCheck also reports all addresses on file for applicant for the last 10 years.
To see the rest of the article you can go to http://www.verifytenant.com/Documents/TenantTIPS.pdf
Good Luck
Ivan Warman
www.verifytenant.com
www.rightabouthomes.com
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EXCELLENT tips * DL and DOB should be required as per state requirements for fair housing purposes. VA just started allowing coping of DL and asking for DOB (we have elderliness as a protected class)....
ALSO....any new-hires to the area almost ALWAYS get WRITTEN offers of employment....so if applicant is coming into the area for employment, obtain a copy of this offer letter. For self-employed applicants, copies first 2 pages of last 3 years tax returns should be sufficient OR copies of last 3 months bank statements....most can print these off from their online banking.
More importantly, get applications from ALL proposed adult residents including "grands" and children over 18...the form should give you permission to run their credit and CRIMINAL background so skipping this step could allow a CRIMINAL into your property.
Lastly, although you may have been using the same credit checking service for years, there are MANY new ones online that offer a wide range of services including a "scored" system using their FICO and with last rental address verifications....check these out to lower your costs AND lessen your office/staff verification time