Tenant Screening
Are you ready for someone to do an entire background check on you before you go and lease an apartment? This procedure is called tenant screening and it is becoming more and more popular (and necessary) in today’s real estate market. Before you are handed the keys, the landlord will turn to a tenant screening service (or perform the screening himself) in order to check out who you really are and what reasons there may be NOT to lease you the property.
It makes sense for landlords to insist on tenant screening. For one, they are letting out their property to total strangers. They don’t know whether you are a dangerous criminal on the run or whether you have unpaid rents and debts across the city. Landlords aim to prevent damage to their property, decrease late payments and keep criminals at bay and screening you as a potential tenant can go a long way in making that happen.
The landlord will need your permission to delve into your personal history, such as credit reports, police reports, public and employment records. Tenant screening also involves interviewing your current landlord (if applicable) to see what kind of tenant you really are, whether you have a good payment record, whether you damaged any property and whether there is any reason that the landlord wants you evicted. Tenant screening may also include interviewing your previous landlord to gain a broader picture of your character and payment history.
You obviously have the right to refuse to give this permission, however, bear in mind that the landlord will suspect that you have something to hide and will, more likely, refuse to lease you the property. The best policy is to remain as honest as possible, and warn the landlord ahead if there is anything from your past that is likely to come up. In general, potential landlords appreciate truthfulness and may consider giving you the property only on that basis.
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