All Forum Posts by: Carlos Hennings

Hello!

Before transferring a lease to a new tenant, even if they're a family member of your current tenant, it's crucial to thoroughly screen them. Proper tenant screening helps protect your investment by ensuring the new tenant is qualified and responsible. Here are key steps for effective screening:

1. Application Form: Require the new tenant to fill out a detailed rental application to collect essential information, including employment history, references, and prior landlords.
2. Credit Check: Perform a credit check to assess financial reliability, past payment behavior, and overall financial responsibility.
3. Judgments & Liens: Ensure judgments and liens are included within your report; they are no longer on credit reports.
4. Background Check: Conduct a criminal background check to identify any potential issues that could affect their suitability as a tenant.
5. Income Verification: Confirm that the potential tenant has a stable income and meets your required income-to-rent ratio.
6. By thoroughly screening the potential new tenant, you'll ensure that they are a good fit and reduce risks associated with lease transfers. Let me know if you have further questions about tenant screening!

RentPrep uses an Income Verification provider that goes back up to 12 months

This is a perfect example of why screening is so important! A tenant’s past behavior is often the best predictor of their future behavior, and skipping screening can cost landlords thousands in unpaid rent and damages.

But here’s the thing—not all background checks are created equal. Some instant reports pull surface-level data and miss key red flags like evictions, judgments, and liens (which no longer show on credit reports). Others don’t verify identity, making it easier for someone with a bad history to slip through.

A thorough screening process that includes ID verification, eviction history, and verified income data can help landlords avoid situations like this. A little extra diligence upfront is worth it to protect your property, your cash flow, and your sanity!

If you’re turning your tiny home into an MTR, good screening is also key—maybe even more than with a long-term rental.

Not all background checks are the same! A quick, instant report might miss evictions, judgments, or even identity fraud, which could put your property at risk. Taking the extra step with ID verification, rental history, and verified income can help you find a solid tenant and avoid major headaches down the road. A little extra effort upfront can save you big in the long run! 

The key to reducing the risk of non-payment and property damage is having a structured screening process that looks beyond just a credit score. Here’s a simple but effective method:

Tenant Screening Checklist

✔ ID Verification – Confirm the applicant is who they say they are to prevent fraud.
✔ Income Verification – Use a service that pulls actual bank deposits rather than relying on pay stubs or bank statements (which can be faked).
✔ Eviction & Rental History – Look for past evictions, late payments, and landlord references to spot red flags.
✔ Criminal Background Check – Run a nationwide search to ensure compliance with local laws while identifying potential risks.
✔ Judgments & Liens Search – Since these no longer appear on credit reports, a separate search helps uncover unpaid debts or financial issues.

For Section 8 tenants, screening should be the same—rental history and income verification are key since they’re still responsible for a portion of the rent. A thorough screening process protects your investment and helps ensure you’re selecting reliable, responsible tenants.

Setting clear tenant criteria is only half the battle—what really matters is how you obtain that information. If the data you’re using isn’t accurate and complete, then even the best criteria won’t protect you from risk.

All background checks are not the same! Many instant reports pull surface-level data that misses evictions, judgments, liens, or even identity fraud, leaving landlords with incomplete or outdated information. A proper screening process should include ID verification, eviction & rental history, criminal records, and verified income data to ensure the applicant truly qualifies.

At the end of the day, accuracy is the most important factor—without it, even the strictest screening criteria won’t mean much. A trusted screening service that provides verified, court-sourced data ensures you’re making decisions based on facts, not assumptions.

Not all background checks are the same! Many instant reports pull limited public data and often miss key records like evictions, judgments, and liens—which no longer appear on credit reports. They also don’t verify identity, making it easier for applicants to use false information.

A more thorough screening process goes beyond a quick database pull. It includes manual reviews, ID verification, and court-level research to ensure accuracy. The difference? Instant reports might be fast, but they can leave you with gaps and costly tenant risks. A detailed screening process ensures you get the full picture before handing over the keys.

Not all background checks are the same! Many instant reports pull limited public data and often miss key records like evictions, judgments, and liens—which no longer appear on credit reports. They also don’t verify identity, making it easier for applicants to use false information.

A more thorough screening process goes beyond a quick database pull. It includes manual reviews, ID verification, and court-level research to ensure accuracy. The difference? Instant reports might be fast, but they can leave you with gaps and costly tenant risks. A detailed screening process ensures you get the full picture before handing over the keys.

Cash for Keys is a method used by landlords and property managers to encourage a tenant to vacate voluntarily in exchange for a financial incentive. Instead of going through a lengthy and costly eviction process, the landlord offers the tenant a sum of money to leave the property by an agreed-upon date, often in good condition.

How It Works:

1. 1. Offer an Agreement – The landlord proposes a cash incentive if the tenant agrees to move out by a set date.
2. 2. Set Clear Terms – The tenant must leave the unit clean and undamaged, return the keys, and not cause further issues.
3. 3. Sign a Written Agreement – A Cash for Keys agreement protects both parties and ensures compliance.
4. 4. Exchange Cash for Keys – After confirming the tenant has vacated and met the conditions, the landlord hands over the agreed-upon payment.

Why Use It?

✅ Faster & Cheaper than Eviction – Evictions can take months and cost thousands in legal fees. Cash for Keys is often quicker and less expensive.
✅ Reduces Property Damage Risks – Some tenants facing eviction may cause damage out of frustration. A smooth exit can help protect the unit.
✅ Minimizes Vacancy Loss – The sooner a tenant leaves, the sooner you can relist and re-rent the property.

While not ideal, Cash for Keys is a practical solution when eviction is the alternative. It’s a business decision that can save time, money, and stress in the long run.

Fraudulent income documents are a growing issue, especially with easy access to fake pay stub and bank statement generators. 

Instead of relying on documents that can be manipulated, use an Income Verification Report that pulls 12 months of bank deposit data directly from the source—this prevents tampering and gives a clear picture of financial stability.