Help needed. First time using an agent to rent a unit.

[Armando Payano]

Hello BP

I'm curious if any agent or property owner can help me out. This is my first time using an agent to find a tenant for one of our Tampa area SFR rentals.

The agent I'm working with has found a prospective tenant and ran a credit check, criminal background check as well as an eviction check and requested prior landlord referral. He said he verified his employment and financials. He told me everything checks out and the tenant is dropping off the deposit money. I then told him before you accept any funds forward me his credentials. He then tells me that he cannot provide me with the background check, credit report or criminal history or he can lose his license. He says he can tell me the prospective tenant doesn't have a criminal history and "has an 8+ credit score" 

Is this a red flag? I have never rented a unit with out seeing first hand a tenants credentials. 

[Aly W.]

I would say red flag. I used a realtor for the first time about 16 months ago for a rental. The potential tenants came from another agent to my agent, and included their credit report (no reason they would lose their license for providing it). 

There was no criminal background report or eviction report though, and my own research showed that both potential tenants had big issues. Although a great tenant eventually came through the realtor, I did my own verification, aside from the credit report, to approve them. 

Do your own research. Once the realtor gets their month's commission, that tenant is your responsibility. If the realtor won't provide any paperwork, there probably isn't any. Did you get the tenant's name? You can search the local county database for criminal activity/evictions but you'll need to go national eventually.