Can Tenants Make You Pay For A Background Check ?
For a landlord, renting out a property can easily turn into a nightmare if the tenants are not good. Hence, many landlords resort to a background check for their tenants. This check ensures that the tenants are reliable, have no criminal cases behind them and will not ruin the property they are renting. |
In order proceed with a background check on a tenant, a landlord has to first create an application for renting the said premises. This application contains certain questions, like the name of the potential tenant, their current address, employment details and the name and contact details of their former landlords. The application can also ask for 2 references that can be checked out by the landlord. The potential tenant has to fill out this application and then sign it. (See Reference 1) Landlords can also ask potential tenants for an application fee and this money can be used to pay for the background check. (See Reference 2)
Based on the information you have, you can hire a background checking firm to conduct a check on potential tenants. The best way to go ahead is to hire the services of an online company. In order to ensure that the person has a good credit history, you can also get a copy of their credit history. However, for this you will require consent from the potential tenant along with the person's Social Security number. The credit report will allow you to gauge whether the person has the ability to pay the rent without any problems and on time. (See Reference 1) If the credit history turns out to be adverse, then you have to send a letter to the potential tenant informing him or her why you are rejecting the application for renting the property. You can even mention that the person has the right to get a free report from the credit reporting bureau that you used.
Make sure that you check out the references to get more information about the tenant. Even call the former landlords and ask them about how the tenant was during the rental period and whether he or she was paying the rent on time. This will give you an idea about the tenant and whether you should rent the property to him or her.
Based on this information, you decide whether to rent the property or not. If you should decide to rent, then make sure you request for a deposit and sign a rental agreement. Make it clear to the tenant that you will hand over the keys only when deposit check clear. (See Reference 1)
Many landlords want to know whether tenants can make landlords to pay for their background checks. The answer to this is no. However, do check your state laws to figure out the amount that can be taken as application fee. Also, the landlord may have to furnish in writing how he or she intends to use the application fee. (See Reference 2)
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Can Tenants Make You Pay For A Background Check
Landlords require some amount of surety about their tenants. Not only should the tenant be responsible, he or she should have the ability to pay rent when it is due each month. In order to ensure this, many landlords are now doing background checks on their potential tenants. 
