Credit Checks Without Written Authorization

Although most tenant applications include authorization for a credit check, you do have the legal right to check potential renters'credit even without their written authorization.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a person's credit can be viewed in connection with any business transaction initiated by the consumer. By filling out a rental application, the applicant has begun the transaction of renting an apartment.

Screening potential tenants using a credit check is an important step. Tempting though it may be to fill your vacancy as quickly as possible, you're courting trouble if you do not run a credit check.

Never compromise your standards, even if you are having difficulties finding a tenant to rent your property.

In addition to a credit check, it is also good practice to run background, criminal, sex offender and terrorist checks. Do not fall into the trap of believing any tenant is better than no tenant.

As an experienced landlord, I know firsthand it is far better to wait a little to find a good tenant than to alter tenant-screening requirements. Lowering your standards runs the risk of taking on a tenant who may give you numerous, and expensive, difficulties down the line.

A credit check is a small step that can give you and your other tenant's peace of mind. And that is something we could all use!

If you need to run a tenant screen with a credit check, feel free to check out the CompleteLandlord.com store for competitively priced tenant screens.