In an ever-changing real estate market, property owners must leverage every tool available to remain competitive. Tenant screening is a big part of this. It helps ensure reliable income and limits the chances of undesirable circumstances, including vacancies.
There are many steps to this, including a tenant criminal background check and information on credit and rental history. It can be difficult to know where to start.
This article explains the basics of screening rental applicants for Murfreesboro, TN, properties. Keep reading to find out how we can help you access the best pool of renters for your real estate business.
Why Is Tenant Screening Important?
There are several reasons to do tenant screening. A big one is risk mitigation.
Being able to know a tenant's background and assess their character could help you avoid unwelcome situations down the road. It also helps ensure the safety of other residents.
A related reason to do this is the protection of your property. Getting quality tenants limits the potential for property damage and related financial losses. Finally, some insurance companies may require you to conduct tenant background checks before buying liability insurance.
What Does Tenant Screening Entail?
First, when screening tenants, landlords need to comply with fair housing laws. These prohibit discrimination based on factors like race, sex, religion, and disability.
Also, landlords must get permission from rental applicants before they perform a background screening. Tennesee requires that they get written permission.
Tenant Criminal Background Check
A landlord can obtain a tenant criminal background check from states or counties where the applicant has lived. This can be quite arduous though. For this reason, they might choose to go with third-party screening services that access databases.
Tenant Credit
Landlords can obtain credit checks from the three main credit reporting bureaus. They also can hire professional tenant screening services to do it for them.
Employment Verification
A landlord can request employment verification from an applicant. They can ask for paystubs, tax returns, or bank statements. This is relevant to ensuring a tenant has the means to pay rent and other expenses.
Rental History
Property owners may contact former landlords as a reference. This can give them feedback on the character and behavior of the applicant. Basic rental applicant checks allow landlords to identify any red flags, like habitually paying rent late or causing disturbances on the property.
How We Screen Rental Applicants
If you are looking for the most comprehensive, one-stop tenant screening Murfreesboro, TN, has to offer, we can help. We do a national criminal background screening, including a sex offender search. We also carry out an international terrorism database screening.
We will verify employment and income, and evaluate income qualifications. We will confirm past rental information with landlords. Our tools even let us do a national eviction search.
Find the Best Tenant Screening in Murfreesboro TN
Tenant screening is an important part of any real estate business. Carrying out a basic tenant criminal background check, credit report, and rental history can a long way toward guaranteeing a secure rental process.
PMI Professionals is a full-service commercial, residential, and association management company serving Murfreesboro and the surrounding areas. We offer a range of services, including tenant screening. Contact us for other property management insights or to learn more about our services.
