Do you do background checks on insurance placed tenants?

Question

I'm exploring possible MTR options during our STR's slow season. I've had a few nibbles for tenants placed by their insurance company while work is being done on their primary residence. These seem pretty urgent (ex: they are needing to move in today or tomorrow). Question for those that do this STR/MTR model: do you run standard checks on insurance placed housing? Background check, credit, eviction, etc? If so, how do you run all of these checks? Is there a particular website or service you use? Thanks!

Ashley Bitner · Answer

@John Underwood @Michael Baum - Thank you both!

John Underwood · Answer

Anything over 30 days I would run a background check and have a standard lease.

I have been using zillow to run background checks.

Ron Brady · Answer

We don't do checks. We do execute a lease and require a security deposit.

Andrew Steffens · Answer

In the past I have not, but depending on your state laws I think this is either not a bad idea if you are in a more landlord reasonable state to downright essential if you are in a tenant sided state.

Janice Carter · Answer

Ashley, yes, you should still screen them even if the insurance company is covering the rent. I use MyRental for fast same-day screenings and I always recommend using a standard lease signed by the actual occupants.

On a related note, ALE reached out to me once about a placement but it never materialized. For those who have worked with insurance companies, which ones have you had success with? and did they contact you directly from your listing or did you reach out to them?

Cheryl Schuck · Answer

I always run credit or a background check on ANY tenant requesting an application. As realtors, we use NTN (National Tenant Network), yet there are others out there. You can search for a company for landlords. I believe Turbo Tenant has one yet not sure how detailed.

Ashley Bitner · Answer

@Andrew Street - thank you! Yeah, the urgency is intense! It left me wondering if people have time to run proper checks? Thanks for the recs on Keycheck and SmartMove!

Andrew Street · Answer

I’ve taken a few insurance-placed guests during slow seasons, and the urgency is real—they want keys yesterday. I still do a screening: ID verification, confirmation from the insurance coordinator, and making sure payment terms are clear before move-in. For quick checks, KeyCheck and SmartMove have been the easiest for me.

Happy to connect!

Michael Baum · Answer

What John said. Treat it like you would any long term rental.

Do you do background checks on insurance placed tenants?

Do you do background checks on insurance placed tenants?

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