Finding and holding onto a good tenant can feel like finding a nugget of gold in your backyard. In other words - it is usually one of the greatest struggles and frustrations that landlords face today, but when you get it right, it feels like you've hit the jackpot.
Tenant background checks need to be a top priority for landlords. Not only in terms of finding the right tenant you can trust, but one that is more than likely to renew their lease and keep your property in pristine condition.
Here are some of the top tenant background check tools any landlord should be using to make this process easier.
What Does a Background Check Entail?
Purchasing a property to rent is a great way to make a passive income, but it comes with its fair share of risk. A thorough background check is one of the best property management tools you can use to safeguard what might be the biggest investment you've ever made.
A tenant background check is a basic process that assists landlords in screening potential tenants. This assists them in making the best decision in terms of tenant placement.
Here are the simple steps to follow:
- Gather and collate information: request the tenant's full name, date of birth, social security number, and current address. You can use this information to conduct all the relevant screening checks
- Perform a credit check: this is to determine a tenant's financial stability and likelihood of paying their rent on time and renewing their lease
- Verify their employment: ask for proof of employment and the contact details of their employer so that you can verify they are actually earning a consistent income
Remember that the best tenant background checks are detailed. There's more to it than a simple credit/employment verification. It should include a thorough screening of their personal, financial, and rental history. You should also take a look at their criminal record or evidence of evictions.
The Best Tenant Background Check Tools to Use
Now that you're aware of what a background check involves, let's take a closer look at the best landlord tools for screening potential tenants:
RentPrep
This is a great, all-in-one tool. It conducts a comprehensive screening of a tenant's criminal background, credit checks, and eviction history, as well as income and employment verification.
MyRental
If you're looking for an easy-to-use tool that conducts screening on credit background, criminal background, rental history, and employment history, this is your go-to.
Leasing Flow
This is probably the most affordable tool on the market today. It offers landlords detailed rental applications and conducts credit checks, criminal and eviction reports, and easy online access. These tools aside, nothing beats the expertise of an experienced property management team to tackle your tenant screening and placement for you.
Need Professional Help Finding the Right Tenants?
If you're based in the Montgomery, River Region of Alabama and need help finding reliable tenants, our team is here to offer the the best tenant background check tools and professional expertise you need.
The reality is that there's far more to tenant screening than a simple credit and employment check. A comprehensive background check is key to filling your rental with someone you can trust.
Here's what you can expect from our tenant screening services.
