How to Check Tenants Credit History
Home owners should always be careful when they are looking for a tenant. Many a times they rent it out to someone who appears to be a perfect gentleman only to find out that the person is more of a con artist.
The best way to keep yourself safe from such people is to check the credit history of the tenant before accepting his or her offer. The process is quite simple and you can do it by taking the right route when dealing with your potential tenant.
Instructions
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1
Get Basic Information
When you are looking to take someone in as a tenant, make them fill out a form which asks for some basic information, such as their name, address, occupation, previous addresses, etc. This needs to be on the same line as the forms that housing complexes use for their perspective tenants when someone applies. Make sure that you also get their social security number without which you cannot check their credit history. -
2
Get the Permission
In the application, have the perspective tenant sign permission for you to check the credit score and history of that person. This will provide you with all the legal cover that you need in order to check their credit history. Do make sure that you only do it once, for the purpose of making sure that the person is clean and will most likely not give you trouble. In case it is a couple, you will need to check the credit history of both. -
3
Verify Identification
Check a picture ID to make sure that the person is indeed who he or she is claiming to be. Ask them for a State ID or a driver’s license. These are hard to forge and are proof enough. Just make sure that you have a good look to verify. -
4
Order the Report
Order the credit report from all three major credit unions. This way, you can easily get all the required information in this regard. -
5
Carefully Examine
Carefully examine the report and see if the person has defaulted or has been evicted before. The credit score and the general habits shown on the report can give you all the information that you need to get a good idea about whether the person will give you trouble or not. If someone has had an eviction in the past, they are certainly a big no-no.
