Renting house, how do I do background checks?

Question

I just put my other house up for rent and didn't think about the whole process before putting it up. How do I do background checks on the people looking to rent?

Anthony Wick · Answer

@Dakota Bonjour

I use MySmartMove. Applicants pay $40 directly to that website. I do not handle the money. Criminal, nationwide eviction, credit checks.

However, before I do that, for free to the applicant I do a check on my states criminal courts website, and contact their prior/current landlord, and employer  for a reference. And most applicants disqualify themselves quickly when I tell them we require a 600 credit score, no felony, no evictions, 3 times income to rent.

Dakota Bonjour · Answer

Interesting!! I like that 600 credit score. I didnt think of it before. I posted the post online and was saying early February. Didnt realize I was going to get so many messages. If you dont mind sharing with me what does your application form look like?

Jeff Gates · Answer

I use tenantscreeningforlandords.com , they interview the past landlord and call the employer.

Larry Alexander · Answer

Yo, you can go to your local police department and order a background check. Those cost $50.00 here. Most landlords will want to pass that along to the tenant so build it into their application process. Using a service like Cozy; the tenant logs in and orders their own background check, credit check and more. Best of all, they have to pay!

Jason Foster · Answer

@Dakota Bonjour

I like Zillow. Tenants submit the application & background check right on the website. It stays active for something like 30 days, so if they’re shopping around, it can be used for any other properties they’re interested in that are listed on Zillow.

Renting house, how do I do background checks?

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