Pulling A Prospective Tenant’s Credit Report

By E-Renter Tenant Screening
Posted on December 1, 2006 under Tenant Credit Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

Landlords are continuously being warned that they should screen prospective tenants before renting out to them. As well, they are advised to screen tenants, and one screening option available to them, is to obtain a prospective tenant’s credit report. However, the question arises, whether landlords or property managers have permission to pull a prospective tenant’s credit report?

Yes, most certainly, landlords or property managers are entitled to obtain credit reports for any prospective tenant. But, do remember, in case an applicant is turned down, as a result of negative information reported on a credit report, landlords should be procedurally correct by sending the applicant a letter advising him / her that his / her rental application has been turned down, apprising him / her of the following:

  1. Why you rejected the applicant.
  2. The name and address of the agency responsible for the negative information report, and
  3. The applicant’s right to obtain a free copy of the report by requesting it from the agency within 60-days.

In order to run a credit check on the prospective tenant, his / her name, address, including Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is necessary. Armed with this information, a credit report can be ordered from a credit reporting agency. In turn, the agency will get the report from any one of the three major national credit bureaus.

To find a credit reporting agency operating in your local area, one can go through the Yellow Pages listings, or surf the Internet.

A fair bit of advice for both landlords and tenants, do avoid expensive landlord / tenant litigation! Tenants should ensure all promises are put down in writing, and landlords can take necessary precautions, such as, screening tenants and conducting background checks on prospective tenants. A simple click of the mouse and any landlord or property manager can visit www.e-renter.com for tenant screening and background check services. www.e-renter.com, the best tenant screening agency in America! On the other hand, tenants can be on their best behaviour!

Add A Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.