Background Checks for prior homeowners

Member since 2020 · 7 posts · 3 votes

I have a rental with a tenant who doesn't have much rental history because they've owned a home for the last 5 years. Any recommendations how to handle this? Do I take personal references on business transactions (he owns this own general contracting business)?

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Drew SygitBusiness Member

Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes

@Frazz Wick they had no mortgage on the property they owned?

Check public records for the property to confirm this and their ownership. When did they sell it and where have they lived since?

Did they lose it to back taxes?

Check with the local municipality to find out if they had any nuisance or blight tickets. What about open inspections never closed?

[email protected]248-209-6824

Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews

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Ashleigh Medina
Member since 2023 · 22 posts · 7 votes
1y
Hi! I think the best way to go about this would be to run a comprehensive background check that shows if they have any missed payments and things like that. If their credit report comes back ok that would probably be the best thing to base it on. I know our property management company in San Antonio does something like this. Good luck!
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Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1y
You would still do all of the normal processes for the application - credit, jobs, income, background, etc. The only piece that you would forgo is the rental history. Personal references are a waste of time. Anyone can have their brother or sister saying great things.
[email protected]239-339-3969
Bartomeo Property Management4.7150 Reviews
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Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
1y
@Frazz Wick they had no mortgage on the property they owned?
Check public records for the property to confirm this and their ownership. When did they sell it and where have they lived since?
Did they lose it to back taxes?
Check with the local municipality to find out if they had any nuisance or blight tickets. What about open inspections never closed?
[email protected]248-209-6824
Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
Website View Page
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Jennie Ballard
Member since 2025 · 40 posts · 13 votes
1y
Since they most likely had a mortgage ask for last 3 statements. That will confirm what they paid and if they did on time (late fees listed). That's what landloard asked for when I was in same spot after house sale along with standard credit check, etc.
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Carlos Hennings
Lancaster, NY · Member since 2021 · 92 posts · 52 votes
11mo
Look for a screening provider that offers income verification through a secure bank connection. These reports typically review up to 12 months of account activity and include details such as account holder information, average balances, and both recurring and non-recurring deposits. It’s a reliable way to confirm consistent income and see whether an applicant maintains a financial cushion to handle unexpected expenses.

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