Tenant credit/eviction/background checks

[Jason Sensi]

First time landlord here. Curious what each of you screen a potential tenant for:

Credit

Eviction

Background

Other?

Also interested in recommendations on which services to use for this, and whether you pass the cost along to the applicant each time.

Thanks!

[Mike McCarthy]

@Jason Sensi I’ve used Cozy (now apartments.com) for the application and screening process (and rent collection too). They make it easy, and the cost is paid by the applicant.

I tell my applicants to not pay for the background/credit checks at first. We review their application, then use the checks as a final double-check after we’ve almost approved them. I hate the idea of a tenant paying for those checks if they were going to end up 2nd or 3rd in the tenant process anyway.