Investor · Spring, TX · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 1 vote
I received interest for renting my SFH from a French citizen, currently residing in Asia working for a major oil and gas firm. He will be moving here to TX at the end of the month. He has a great pay check (I have the pay stubs), great job, has a nice family with 3 kids. How can I run a background/credit check on this guy? Obviously want to make sure there is no criminal history, evictions, etc. Thanks!
Investor · Singapore · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
You can't. But chances are they will be a better bet than most Americans which you can do checks on. I've rented to foreigners before and found them less demanding and more rule followers than most Americans.
Real Estate Salesperson · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2016 · 51 posts · 18 votes
10y
@Account Closed
What we do is have them bring verification from their bank which includes current balance, how long the account has been open, and a letter of reference from the bank about the client saying they have been good clients for X years. Not ALL banks will do this but most will certainly do it. however, you may have to have it translated.
Background checks are tougher as you could attempt to use interpol or something but I haven't found an effective way to do a criminal background check.
Property Manager · Grants Pass, OR · Member since 2009 · 429 posts · 201 votes
10y
Just re-affirming what @Account Closed said, you can't really do background checks on international tenants. Your best bet is to get prior landlord references and vet them very well. If the person has spent any time at all in the US, it would still be a good idea though to run a check here just to be sure.
Real Estate Investor · Petaluma, CA · Member since 2016 · 60 posts · 27 votes
10y
Do they have any family or personal friends living in the States that could provide references? Any employment verification that the old employer and new employer can provide? Letters of reference from previous landlord in English?
Personally, I would have a contingency to meet them first before handing over your property however many landlords are probably not as cautious as I am. My ratio is one bad one in 35 years of doing business but if you can afford the risk, go for it.
North Riverside, IL · Member since 2015 · 77 posts · 21 votes
10y
I did a quick Google Search and found this site, I haven't looked at it much nor can I say how the end result will be as far as their accuracy and where they draw their info from, but here's a start..
Thanks for the share on that site. I will take a look as well. Not sure how much legitimate information they can gather. I can only assume it is like Spokeo for the U.S. but International Courts wouldn't show a petty theft arrest in Bangkok unless it was an international matter I don't think.