All Forum Posts by: Corey G.

I use leaseRrunner, I tell the prospective tenant to set it up and pull the report, then sends me an email where I can log in to look at it online and print it out. Full credit report, everything. I like it. I don't use them for anything else except credit report. Social ssn should be on your application before anything happens.

You need SSN and birthdate in order to try and collect a debt, if need be.

I collect that information directly on my application.  I've always found the background check services do not do a thorough job so I always overlay that service with my own gumshoe due diligence  (talking directly to immediate supervisors, ensuring the previous "landlord" owns the property, checking social media, etc.).

Never rely exclusively on these services.  They do not have any skin in the game and are just automating the process of searching various databases.  No one will care more about your tenant placement than you.

@Corey G. Not needed to file court cases. Needed only to report negative information to credit bureau. Best to use a rent collection service that keeps the SSN on file.

Many services whether turbotenant or doorloop obfuscate SSN. 

 The judgment is much harder. I’m going after a contractor for 3k he ran off with. This is mostly to prove a point. I have a lawyer and we are working on “trying” to serve him. We don’t exactly know where he lives. So we did a skip trace and might have located him. If we managed to Serve him, then we can go to court and get a judgement. However , he still probably won’t pay, but at least it hits his record. You would have to follow a similar process: start a small claims case with your local court, work on finding and serving the individual, and then get a judgement.

You can go after him in court, but it’s likely not going to be worth it. It’s a major pain. 

I would suggest the credit reporting/collection agency route. It would be cheaper. You just need the tenants DOB and their last known address. Collection Agency would likely allow you to report the damages from him breaking the lease, just not the credit reporting agency

 Sorry to hear this. If they moved out it's no longer an eviction. As long as your lease is iron clad and you have reviewed your local laws, you might have a case to go after the rent/fees owed. 

You could send him to a collection agency for the amount owed after you deduct the security deposit. This would allow you to credit report it. Some charge fees to do this. I've done it once, but for a few thousand dollars. Did not get the money back, but the tenant did get a negative mark on their credit.

Front Lobby, is a credit reporting site. It's relatively affordable, but you can only report late rent and late fees(fines and other damages you need a judgement) .They also have to be 30 days past due. So if you rent it within 30 days and keep the security deposit you probably won't be able to report him. If it takes you a few months, then you probably could depending on how your lease is worded. Make sure you double check with any credit reporting agency, to stay on the right side of the law. I always error on the side of caution. Credit reporting is good way to keep some people in line with the terms.

This happens all the time, especially in lower end markets. There's not much you can do besides credit report or collection agencies. Small claims court is not worth it unless it's more than 10k or you are absolutely sure they would pay up if you got a judgement. I've gone the small claims court way a couple times, it's not easy and it's not cheap.

I know your pissed, but this is part of the game....