Tenant Background Check

A tenant background check provides a comprehensive look at the applicant, including everything from rental history to criminal records. Landlords can screen prospective tenants with a renter background check, often along with a credit report, in order to verify and choose the best renter for the property. If you do not perform a background check on tenants, you are putting the safety and security of your rental property, and any other tenants who share that property, at risk.

Instant Tenant Background Check

Quick, Easy and Accurate. Landlord or Tenant Pays.

What is included in a tenant screening report?

Our tenant screening reports can include credit checks, eviction history, criminal reports and more.

Explore our AAOA Tenant Verification Services below:

Budget Background
$19.99
Eviction
NATIONWIDE Eviction STATEWIDE

This information is never found on a
credit report. An eviction record is
when a landlord files for eviction and
obtains a judgment for possession of
property. These records are gathered
from county level courts and do not
include monetary awards.

Criminal
NATIONWIDE Criminal NATIONWIDE

Discover if your tenant has a criminal past.
Over 200+ million criminal records are
matched against multiple data points to
provide fewer false positives.

Tenant History Previous Address Tenant History

Based solely on the tenant'ssocial security number,
it returns all names and addresses ever associated
with it. It provides invaluable data to verify
against fraudulent applicants, verify eviction
and criminal records, and more.

This report includes the personal credit
history on the tenant and may include
their credit profile, personal contact
information, tradelines, collections,
employment history, nicknames, and more.
The tenant's cooperation and their unique
email address is required for identity
verification. To bypass this process
and get immediate results with no tenant
cooperation, get underwritten. Once underwritten
you can also choose from Experian,
TransUnion, or Equifax.

A rental screening score is provided
based on the tenant's credit report
helping to determine their credit worthiness.
Additional scores are available, such as
FICO, if you get underwritten.

• • Standard
    $29.99
  • Credit Report

  This report includes the personal credit
  history on the tenant and may include
  their credit profile, personal contact
  information, tradelines, collections,
  employment history, nicknames, and more.
  The tenant's cooperation and their unique
  email address is required for identity
  verification. To bypass this process
  and get immediate results with no tenant
  cooperation, get underwritten. Once underwritten
  you can also choose from Experian,
  TransUnion, or Equifax.

  A rental screening score is provided
  based on the tenant's credit report
  helping to determine their credit worthiness.
  Additional scores are available, such as
  FICO, if you get underwritten.

  Tenant History Previous Address Tenant History

  Based solely on the tenant's social security number,
  it returns all names and addresses ever associated
  with it. It provides invaluable data to verify
  against fraudulent applicants, verify eviction
  and criminal records, and more.

  NSF Check Verifier

  Learn if your tenant writes bad checks.
  This nationwide database requires the
  tenant's driver's license for results
  and provides real-time data helping you
  identify a good tenant.

  Eviction
  NATIONWIDE Eviction STATEWIDE

  This information is never found on a
  credit report. An eviction record is
  when a landlord files for eviction and
  obtains a judgment for possession of
  property. These records are gathered
  from county level courts and do not
  include monetary awards.

  LeaseGuarantee Analyzer
  • • Comprehensive
      $39.99
    Most Popular!

    This report includes the personal credit
    history on the tenant and may include
    their credit profile, personal contact
    information, tradelines, collections,
    employment history, nicknames, and more.
    The tenant's cooperation and their unique
    email address is required for identity
    verification. To bypass this process
    and get immediate results with no tenant
    cooperation, get underwritten. Once underwritten
    you can also choose from Experian,
    TransUnion, or Equifax.

    A rental screening score is provided
    based on the tenant's credit report
    helping to determine their credit worthiness.
    Additional scores are available, such as
    FICO, if you get underwritten.

    Tenant History Previous Address Tenant History

    Based solely on the tenant's social security number,
    it returns all names and addresses ever associated
    with it. It provides invaluable data to verify
    against fraudulent applicants, verify eviction
    and criminal records, and more.

    NSF Check Verifier

    Learn if your tenant writes bad checks.
    This nationwide database requires the
    tenant's driver's license for results
    and provides real-time data helping you
    identify a good tenant.

    Eviction
    NATIONWIDE Eviction STATEWIDE

    This information is never found on a
    credit report. An eviction record is
    when a landlord files for eviction and
    obtains a judgment for possession of
    property. These records are gathered
    from county level courts and do not
    include monetary awards.

    Criminal NATIONWIDE

    Discover if your tenant has a criminal past.
    Over 200+ million criminal records are
    matched against multiple data points to
    provide fewer false positives.

    Sex Offender Find out if your prospective tenant
    is a convicted sexual offender
    with this nationwide search.

    Searches multiple worldwide databases
    including FBI, Interpol, Palestinian
    Legislative Council, Office of Foreign
    Assets Control (OFAC), and more.

    Federal Search

    Searches nationwide databases for
    offenders for crimes of violence,
    cyber, white collar, against children,
    murder, most wanted lists, and more.

    LeaseGuarantee Analyzer Tenant Pay Option Income Insights
    • • Premium
        $49.99
      • Credit Report

      This report includes the personal credit
      history on the tenant and may include
      their credit profile, personal contact
      information, tradelines, collections,
      employment history, nicknames, and more.
      The tenant's cooperation and their unique
      email address is required for identity
      verification. To bypass this process
      and get immediate results with no tenant
      cooperation, get underwritten. Once underwritten
      you can also choose from Experian,
      TransUnion, or Equifax.

      A rental screening score is provided
      based on the tenant's credit report
      helping to determine their credit worthiness.
      Additional scores are available, such as
      FICO, if you get underwritten.

      Tenant History Previous Address Tenant History

      Based solely on the tenant's social security number,
      it returns all names and addresses ever associated
      with it. It provides invaluable data to verify
      against fraudulent applicants, verify eviction
      and criminal records, and more.

      NSF Check Verifier

      Learn if your tenant writes bad checks.
      This nationwide database requires the
      tenant's driver's license for results
      and provides real-time data helping you
      identify a good tenant.

      Eviction
      NATIONWIDE Eviction NATIONWIDE

      This information is never found on a
      credit report. An eviction record is
      when a landlord files for eviction and
      obtains a judgment for possession of
      property. These records are gathered
      from county level courts and do not
      include monetary awards.

      Criminal NATIONWIDE

      Discover if your tenant has a criminal past.
      Over 200+ million criminal records are
      matched against multiple data points to
      provide fewer false positives.

      Sex Offender Find out if your prospective tenant
      is a convicted sexual offender
      with this nationwide search.

      Searches multiple worldwide databases
      including FBI, Interpol, Palestinian
      Legislative Council, Office of Foreign
      Assets Control (OFAC), and more.

      Federal Search

      Searches nationwide databases for
      offenders for crimes of violence,
      cyber, white collar, against children,
      murder, most wanted lists, and more.

      LeaseGuarantee Analyzer

      When the LeaseGuarantee Analyzer qualifies your tenant, you can reduce or eliminate the security deposit
      or need for a cosigner, by getting up to $10,000 in coverage with no deductible.
      LeaseGuarantee covers lost rent, legal fees, and damages. Learn More

      Tenant Pay Option Income Insights Civil Judgments

      Looking for a la carte tenant background checks? AAOA offers individual reports, allowing you to create a custom background check on your applicant.

      Individual Screening Services & Products	Price
      Basic Credit Report (Underwriting Required)	$ 9.95
      Basic Credit Report (Tenant Cooperation Required)	$ 19.95
      NSF Check Verifier	$ 5.95
      Previous Address Tenant History	$ 6.95
      Social Security Number Fraud Check	$ 9.95
      Statewide Eviction Search	$ 15.95
      Statewide Criminal Search	$ 15.95
      Nationwide Eviction Search	$ 21.95
      Nationwide Criminal Search	$ 21.95
      Nationwide Bankruptcies, Tax Liens, & Civil Judgments	$ 5.00
      Sex Offender Search	$ 13.95
      Landlord Verification	$ 16.95
      Employment Verification	$ 16.95

      How to do a Background Check on a Tenant

      AAOA services and resources makes it easy to get a tenant background check.

      Step 1: Sign up for a free account and join AAOA. The website also offers paid membership which includes discounts on background and credit check for renters.

      Step 2: Download AAOA’s free rental application form and collect payment to run the rental background check. Be sure to review the landlord tenant law for your state to learn what the maximum fee is that can be charged. While there is a cost for a background check for tenants, you can pass that cost on to your tenant in most states.

      Step 3: Order a tenant credit and background check, also referred to as performing a tenant screening. This report may include a credit report, credit score, eviction, criminal background, employment and/or income verification, and useful social data on your prospective tenant. Some managers have been known to also request financial data directly from the tenant including bank statements and pay check stubs. To initiate the background request, all you need to do is provide the renter’s name and email address to a company that does background checks. The tenant’s information will then be run through public databases, from the sex offender registry to the national terrorist watch list and county criminal search. You’ll be able to view basic details of any matching records, and can draw your own conclusions, to do what is best for your property.

      Based on the credit and background check you receive, you now have the complete reporting required to make a well informed decision on the applicant. The background check may even display your potential tenant’s work and rental history. All of this information gives you the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about the worthiness of the applicant and protect you from making a mistake simply because you want to have a tenant in place to avoid a vacancy.

      Now that you’ve completed the landlord credit and background check the next step is to provide a lease agreement to the applicant you’ve selected.

      

      How to Use Background Checks for Landlords

      A tenant background check should be an automatic part of your application process. Whether you accept applications online or in person, you must require that all applicants fill out the information that allows you to perform the background check. Remember, this important piece of the application process is vital to helping you protect your rental properties and the tenants who are entrusting you to give them a safe place to live. AAOA support staff can also help to better explain and answer questions about credit, score, and other reports you may receive.

      What to Look for on a Background Check

      As a landlord, it is your duty to provide a safe place for renters to live. If you have a multifamily property, your renters are counting on you to vet potential tenants carefully, for their own safety. Thus, it’s important that you evaluate any criminal charges that show up on tenant background checks. Any arrest record should be a red flag; however, the decision of whether to allow or deny the applicant rests with you.

      Take into consideration the weight of the charge and the date of the incident. To protect yourself, write down criteria for renters. You may decide that you’ll overlook criminal acts that happened 7 or more years ago, or that you’ll rent to someone with a misdemeanor record but not a felony. The choice is up to you.

      Sex offenders are not protected under the Fair Housing Act, so any landlord can decide to not rent an apartment to a registered sex offender and face no legal retribution. Some landlords enjoy helping troubled individuals get back on their feet and may find it worthwhile to help someone who has served time for sex crimes rehabilitate into society. If you spot a sex offender charge on a tenant background check, ask more questions to understand the bigger picture, including what may be at stake for your renters.

      The other information on the background check will help you determine whether a renter is a high or low risk to your property. An individual with a spotty work history could be a red flag, since a tenant who loses a job may be unable to keep up with rental payments. Likewise, someone whose rental history shows frequent moves could be a liability.

      If tenant background checks indicate that a renter has changed jobs or moved frequently, consider asking more questions to find out why. There are many legitimate reasons for someone to change jobs or move but without a conversation it won’t be clear on the credit check alone. Relationships might end, someone may move for work, their business could go under, or an applicant could have fallen on hard times or made poor decisions for a period of time.

      With any of these red flags, landlords have leeway in determining what to do. You may be stricter about tenants at multifamily units where community safety is at stake, while giving someone a second chance if you own a single-family home. The main purpose of tenant background checks is to provide landlords with information they need to make informed decisions about who has access to their properties.

      Failing to Perform a Background Check for Renters Could Have Devastating Consequences

      Seasoned landlords and property managers are likely to have a number of potential tenants who wish to forgo the background check. They will often have excellent reasons for this, especially if you are going to pass the cost of running a tenant credit on to them. However, failing to do so could have costly consequences.

      Consider these potential problems:

      • A tenant who has a poor past rental history and many evictions is probably going to turn into a nightmare tenant who does not pay rent and who damages the property.
      • A tenant who is a registered sex offender could put you at risk for a lawsuit if your property is near a school, park or other area that children frequent.
      • A tenant with a violent criminal history who harms someone else at your property could lead to a lawsuit and all the fees associated with that when the injured party takes you to court.
      • A tenant who refuses to comply with a landlord background check could be using the identity of other people

      As you can see, the potential costs of a bad tenant are extensive, so you don’t want to skip a credit background check. A tenant background search from our site will save you from many of these potential instances. Trust the American Apartment Owners Association to provide you with your renter background checks for landlords. Purchase our basic background check service today or choose from our comprehensive apartment background check packages and choose the services that are the most helpful to your needs.

      Click on the image below to find out the landlord tenant laws in your state.

      Click the Map for Tenant Background Checks in Your State

      • Alabama (AL)
      • Alaska (AK)
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      • California (CA)
      • Colorado (CO)
      • Connecticut (CT)
      • Delaware (DE)
      • Florida (FL)
      • Georgia (GA)
      • Hawaii (HI)
      • Idaho (ID)
      • Illinois (IL)
      • Indiana (IN)
      • Iowa (IA)
      • Kansas (KS)
      • Kentucky (KY)
      • Louisiana (LA)
      • Maine (ME)
      • Maryland (MD)
      • Massachusetts (MA)
      • Michigan (MI)
      • Minnesota (MN)
      • Mississippi (MS)
      • Missouri (MO)
      • Montana (MT)
      • Nevada (NV)
      • Nebraska(NE)
      • New Hampshire (NH)
      • New Jersey (NJ)
      • New Mexico (NM)
      • New York (NY)
      • North Carolina (NC)
      • North Dakota (ND)
      • Ohio (OH)
      • Oklahoma (OK)
      • Oregon (OR)
      • Pennsylvania (PA)
      • Rhode Island (RI)
      • South Carolina (SC)
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      • Tennessee (TN)
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      • Washington (WA)
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      • Wyoming (WY)
      More Helpful Pages
      • Protecting Your Rental Property Investment
      • Can I Charge Applicant for Tenant Screening?
      • How to Get the Best Tenant Checks
      • The Secret of Successful Tenant Screening
      • Signs Your Candidate Will Be A Bad Tenant
      • Tenant Checks: Top 5 Reasons to Reject an Applicant
      • State Specific Tenant Screening Background Checks
      • Tenant Screening Glossary & Terms

      The information provided herein is for advisory purposes only and AAOA takes no responsibility for its accuracy. AAOA recommends you consult with an attorney familiar with current federal, state and local laws.