The idea of someone scanning and looking into your personal history can come off as very intrusive or at the very least, a bit offputting. Perhaps it may be slightly relieving to know what kind of information landlords actually look for and why. Let’s find out together!

Identification

When you own a property, you want to ensure that honest tenants will rent out the house. Therefore, the landlord will do a security check to validate the basic information you provided, such as your name, age, address, and other relevant information. On your application form, you must list your previous address(es). The landlord will verify this information to see if you lived at the provided locations and what kind of tenant you were during your stay.

The reason it’s so important to validate the information provided is to ensure the potential tenant will not be a threat to the property, other tenants, or, most importantly, the landlord. Considering these safety precautions, the landlord will also check for a criminal history.

Liability

In general, requiring a background check is the right thing for a landlord to do. The aim is to do a check thorough enough to know as much valuable information as possible. A landlord is much more than someone who provides you with a home and, in some cases, is responsible for fixing/maintaining the property. In actuality, the landlord is liable for many things, and if something goes wrong, a landlord could be sued for negligence. This is why so many landlords must pay attention to every detail of the renting process.

Another major inconvenience for a landlord is tenant evictions. The hassle and headache that is required to evict a tenant is a pain in the butt,  but don’t make any mistakes about it; a landlord will not hesitate to evict and charge a tenant that deserves it. Doing thorough investigations before the move-in gives a landlord security and stability and cuts down on headache tenant evictions.

Employment History

Knowing whether you have a stable job and understanding your job history determines whether or not you can afford to pay for the home. On your rental application, you must list your current and previous employers, the terms of your employment, and your position. The landlord may verify this information by contacting your employer directly. In addition to your employment history, your monthly income must be proven through bank statements or other proof of a steady income. Your credit score may also be considered if your landlord specifically requests it, but it would probably not be included in a general background check. If the information provided regarding your employment details and bank statements leaves the landlord doubtful, he may request to see your credit score to see if there are any outstanding debts.

Rental History

The ideal tenant is a stable renter with a good rental history. When your rental history is under the spotlight, the landlord will look for payment history, whether you’ve had scuffles with landlords or other tenants, etc. In other words, your rental history can tell if you are a problematic individual. Major red flags that could have your application thrown out fast include late rental payments or being evicted. This information may be validated by a quick call from your potential landlord to previous landlords. If former landlords provide a good reference, your application will be considered and set apart from others.

Reduce Tenant Turnover

From a landlord’s point of view, requiring a tenant background check conveys to prospective tenants that they have a rigorous screening process. This means that only serious tenants expecting to meet specific criteria would apply. This improves a landlord’s chance of finding a tenant likely to stay long term.

Overall, tenant background checks benefit the landlord, other tenants, and the property. The process reduces legal risks and improves the statistics of having an easy landlord-tenant relationship.