Tenant Credit Check

[Jill Patton]

Hi, I'm trying to decide on an online service for credit/background checks for some upcoming rentals.  Can you please share your preferences or experiences with me so I can make a decision?

I'm currently considering using mysmartmove.com again, cozy.co or perhaps e-renter.com.  

Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Jennifer L.]

@Jill Patton I used Cozy for my last round of applications.  The background/credit checks came back quickly.  What I like about this is that I also use Cozy for rent collection so it is easy to transition your tenants to this payment service if that is your preference.

I will say this, I also check the local civil database for any open cases.  This last time, I found one potential tenant who sued a local small business and won a 6 figure judgment.  When she asked if she could look at my property without me present, I told her absolutely not, she could only come onto the property if I was there.  (I sited the 24 hour notice rule even though my tenants had vacated.)  Another claimed that he had temporary credit issues but I found judgments that just fell off his credit report, demonstrating long-term financial issues rather than a temporary issue.