Tenant Screening Foreigners

[Andrew Garcia]

Hello, BP Community!

I am currently trying to fill a vacancy on my LTR, and I have a person who is relocating to the US for work. He told me he doesn't have a credit score since he is from Switzerland, and I am not sure how my screening report of this person is going to look, but seems like a solid lead. Does anyone have experience screening foreigners who are relocating for work? Can you tell me how you screened them and what did you do differently than normal? Thanks in advance!

[Ricardo R.]

Hey Andrew,

We’ve actually handled this exact situation at our property management company—tenants relocating from overseas with no U.S. credit history. Here’s how we typically approach it:

1. Employment Verification First

• We get a written job offer letter or employment contract from the U.S.-based employer.

• Ideally, it states position, start date, salary, and length of employment.

• If they work for a well-known company, that gives a lot of confidence.

2. International Screening Alternatives

• U.S. credit reports won’t show much, so instead we:

  • Request previous landlord references (even if overseas).

  • Ask for proof of income (bank statements, pay stubs if already working).

  • Sometimes request a letter of recommendation from their employer’s HR department.

3. Adjustments We Make

• Higher security deposit: Common when no U.S. credit file exists.

• Prepaid rent: Some owners request 2–3 months upfront, depending on local laws.

• Co-signer or guarantor: If available, especially for high-end rentals.

4. Things That Work Well

• We’ve had great success when the tenant had a stable job offer and good documentation—even without a U.S. credit history.

• We use screening services that verify ID authenticity so we’re still compliant with fair housing and identity checks.

Bottom line:
Focus on income, employment stability, and landlord references. With the right documentation, international tenants can be excellent renters even without a U.S. credit score.