All Forum Posts by: Carlos Hennings

Great breakdown of the difference between eligibility and suitability! Too many landlords assume that because a tenant is approved for Section 8, they must also be a reliable renter—but that’s not the case. The Housing Authority does NOT screen for rental history, property care, or lease compliance, which means a thorough screening process is just as important for Section 8 tenants as it is for any other renter.

✅ ID Verification – Confirms the applicant is who they say they are, reducing fraud risks.
✅ Judgments & Liens Search – Since these no longer appear on credit reports, a separate search can uncover past unpaid debts or court actions from prior landlords.
✅ Eviction & Rental History – Checking payment history, past evictions, and landlord references helps verify reliability.
✅ Criminal Background Check – Ensures compliance with local laws while flagging potential concerns.

Section 8 can be a great program for landlords, but only if the tenant is properly vetted. The best way to minimize risk and protect your property is to go beyond just income verification and screen for suitability just like you would for any other renter.

A corporate letter and full rent payment upfront may look attractive, but proper screening is still critical. Even if the rent is covered, that doesn’t eliminate other risks—a tenant's judgments, liens, or criminal history could indicate past property damage, unpaid debts, or potential issues within the community.

✅ ID Verification – Confirms the applicant is who they claim to be, reducing fraud risk.
✅ Judgments & Liens Search – Since these no longer appear on credit reports, a separate search helps uncover past unpaid debts or legal disputes.
✅ Eviction & Rental History – Even with corporate backing, past rental behavior can reveal red flags.
✅ Criminal Background Check – A nationwide search can flag potential concerns.
✅ Verified Income Data – If not paid through a company, checking bank deposits ensures financial stability.

A little extra diligence in screening ensures you’re selecting tenants who respect the property and the community—not just ones with a corporate letter.

Since you're managing remotely, having a solid screening process is even more critical to avoid issues down the road. A strong lease won’t matter if you place the wrong tenant—so ensuring accurate and thorough screening is key. 

All background checks are NOT the same! Many instant reports miss evictions, judgments, liens, and identity fraud, which could put your property at risk.

✅ ID Verification – Confirms applicants are who they say they are, reducing the risk of fraud.
✅ Judgments & Liens Search – Since these no longer show on credit reports, a separate search can uncover past unpaid debts or legal issues.
✅ Eviction & Rental History – A verified report can flag prior evictions and rental payment behavior.
✅ Criminal Background Check – A nationwide search helps identify potential risks.
✅ Verified Income Data – Looking at actual bank deposits rather than pay stubs prevents applicants from using fake documents.

For pricing, Stessa can help track income and expenses, monitor cash flow, and collect rent. Since you're managing remotely, virtual tools for online rent collection and maintenance coordination are a must.

A little extra diligence upfront in screening and management can save you big headaches later!

If this guest ignored your rules, brought extra people, and left your door open, chances are they’ve done it before. And if they’ve done it before, another host may have taken them to court and won a judgment for damages—but you wouldn’t know unless you screened them. Short-term rental screening is just as important, if not more, than screening long-term tenants.

✅ ID Verification – Confirms guests are who they say they are, preventing fraud and unauthorized stays.
✅ Judgments & Liens Search – If a past STR host took them to court for damages, this can uncover it. These no longer appear on credit reports and require a separate search.
✅ Criminal Background Check – A nationwide check helps flag potential risks before they stay in your property.
✅ Eviction History – If a guest has been evicted from long-term housing, it’s a sign of financial instability and potential property damage.

If you stay on the platform, consider requiring additional verification for guests, using security deposits, and screening reservations just as you would a long-term tenant. A little extra diligence upfront can save you thousands in damages later!

Short-term rentals come with risks, but proper screening can help protect your property! While Airbnb provides some verification, it’s limited, and you don’t always know who’s actually staying in your home. If you're accepting bookings from VRBO, Booking.com, or direct reservations, screening guests yourself is even more important.

✅ ID Verification – Confirms each guest’s identity, not just the person making the booking. This helps prevent fraud and unauthorized stays.
✅ Judgments & Liens Search – Since these no longer appear on credit reports, a separate check can uncover unpaid debts or past legal issues.
✅ Criminal Background Check – A nationwide search can flag any major concerns before handing over the keys.
✅ Eviction History – If a guest has a history of past evictions, that’s a huge red flag for potential property damage.
✅ Verified Income Data – If offering mid-term stays, checking bank deposit history can help confirm financial responsibility.

For last-minute guests or those with little rental history, it’s reasonable to request verification for additional occupants. 

The best way to minimize risk is to treat guest screening just as seriously as long-term tenant screening. A little extra diligence upfront can prevent major headaches later!

All background checks are NOT the same! Many services only provide basic credit reports, which no longer include judgments and liens—key indicators of financial responsibility. If you’re screening tenants, it’s important to use a service that gives you the full picture.

✅ ID Verification – Confirms applicants are who they say they are to prevent fraud.
✅ Judgments & Liens Search – Since these no longer appear on credit reports, a separate search helps uncover unpaid debts or legal issues.
✅ Eviction History – Shows past rental behavior and any prior evictions.
✅ Criminal Background Check – Nationwide search for any relevant offenses.
✅ Verified Income Data – Analyzes bank deposits rather than just pay stubs, which can be faked.

Using a trusted screening service that includes these searches ensures you’re making informed decisions and protecting your investment. A little extra due diligence now can save you from costly tenant issues later!

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!