International Tenant Screening

[Lisa Winklepleck]

I currently invest in rental properties in a small Midwest college town. I'm close friends with the local college women's soccer coach and am looking to rent to a few of his players soon. Several of them, however, are international students. Typically I'd require social security numbers, background checks, etc. but with them being international, what can I do to make sure they're quality tenants? I typically have parents co-sign on a lease too, but if they're not located in the US, does it still make sense to do this? Has anyone else had experience with this and what other due diligence do I need to do to protect myself? 

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Lisa Winklepleck:

Renting to foreigners is tricky. You can't verify their background, particularly when they are that young, they probably have no verifiable income, and if they pack up and leave to their home country you won't be able to go after them for losses.

On the other hand, these are kids going to school. Their parents have enough money to send them, so the risk is lower. I would do what you can to screen them, but require a double or even triple deposit to protect you against issues (if state law allows).