Property Management Blog

3 Tips for Conducting a Tenant Background Check

Maria Napolitano - Wednesday, May 25, 2022

The average cost of refurbishing a property is upwards of $15,000. If you're dealing with the aftermath of a problem tenant, you could be forced into shelling out for this kind of expensive renovation. 

Tenant screening is one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of a problem tenant occupying your property. But carrying out a screening can be tough. Many landlords don't know where to start when it comes to running a check on prospective tenants.

Looking for some handy tips? Read on. Here are three things to keep in mind when running a tenant background check. 

1. Dig Deep

A background check needs to be thorough. Scratching the surface isn't good enough, so you'll need to dig deep to get the lowdown on a prospective tenant coming into your real estate.

It's not enough to just look at a form and see a tenant claims they have a long history of paying rent on time or a well-paying job. You need to follow up on every claim they make to ensure what they're saying is true. 

Call their employer. and previous landlords Ask for bank statements. Only by doing the legwork can you ensure the information they give is true. 

2. Talk to Them

Talking to a tenant is a great way to find out background information. It's also an ideal way to give yourself a chance to ask questions and get to know a prospective renter.

Arrange a face-to-face meeting with anyone expressing an interest in renting your property. 

Trust your intuition. If you're sure a tenant is lying to you or you simply don't trust them, it might be time to look at other options.

Remember. a tenant is going to be occupying your property and providing a portion of your income for a long time to come. 

3. Get Help From Experienced Professionals

One of the best ways to help the tenant screening process run smoothly is to work with an experienced company that can do the job for you. 

It will save you a lot of time and effort, as well as allow you to rest easy, knowing that trained professionals have conducted the screening process. 

Working with a property management company to conduct your tenant screening can be cost-effective too. instead of paying for agencies to help you, as well as the necessary fees to access documents, we can manage that for you. 

Complete a Reputable Tenant Background Check Today

When you're a landlord in Kissimmee, Florida, there's so much that can go wrong. From problem tenants to unexpected maintenance, there are lots of things that can take up your time and cost you money. 

Working with us is the best way to take the stress out of being a landlord. We'll deal with your tenants every step of the way, from running a tenant background check, to rent collection. Contact us today to find out more about our range of services.