Waltham, Mass. – May 10, 2012 – Increasingly, foreclosures and short sale homes come back onto the market as rentals. Combined with a new trend of transient renters, the rental market has dramatically changed. Gone are the days where single-dwelling or small unit apartment buildings could trust a potential renter with a short conversation and a handshake. And gone too are the days where a renter could trust an individual representing themselves as a property owner could actually be relied on to be the actual owner.

TenantScreeningUSA.com takes the guesswork out of who one is renting too and who the renter is renting from.

Every day the news is filled with articles and blogs about bad tenants and the damage left behind. Consider one such situation in Edmonton, Canada. A property owner rented out a property without conducting a tenant background check.

From the Global Edmonton:
Allison McMillan thought she had the ideal renter when she met the family with two small children and both parents had steady employment.
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/landlord+left+a+mess+from+destructive+tenants/6442617598/story.html

When the couple fell behind on monthly payments McMillan quickly discovered the mistake she made during a property inspection whereupon she discovered significant damage. In the end Miss McMillan admitted her mistake by not conducting a tenant background check, a mistake that cost her $ 16,000 in repairs.

TenantScreeningUSA.com provides credit checks as well as access to a wide variety of public records, including national criminal checks, renter fraud warnings and renter identity verification. These background checks greatly assist property owners in making wise decisions in who they rent properties too.

On the opposite side of the rental coin, renters should also do background records checks on individual’s whose property they may rent. In the State of Washington a trend has emerged where potential renters do checks on property owners. And the reason is clear.

Nefarious individuals claim to own an abandoned property in which they have access. They can simply post an ad in the local paper or on Craigslist, claim it as their own, request first, last, and a security deposit, up front and in cash, and, ultimately, disappear.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120403/SCBJ11/304039998/1005/BIZ

Every day trends change, just as the ability to access certain public records modifies.

In June 2012 Courts in New York City will no longer supply lists of names involved with tenant-owner legal actions, subsequently making it more difficult, but not impossible, to obtain this information. The City felt that some property owners utilized these lists to essentially “black-list” certain apartment dwellers just because of their inclusion on the list. The “list” names individuals involved, it is not a specific, case-by-case description, and many of the listed individuals could, potentially, have no involvement.
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/04/courts_will_sto.php

Utilizing their innovative screening system, TenantScreeningUSA.com is a one-stop shop for the needs of both the renter and property manager. Ideal for the needs of single- or limited-unit landlords, renters, and realtors, TenantScreeningUSA.com creates a safe and secure information portal. Landlords can gain a complete picture of their rental applicant, with access to prospective tenant’s credit history, criminal record, and other information in one spot. Rental applicants gain the security of a safe environment for storing their information that landlord’s access. Using TenantScreeningUSA.com allows Social Security numbers, birth dates, and related information to be masked.

In an ever changing housing market, renters and property owners alike can benefit significantly by working with TenantScreeningUSA.com. Property owners don’t get scammed by potentially malicious renters and renters don’t get scammed by potentially malicious property owners. TenantScreeningUSA.com is fast, secure, and affordable. Visit www.TenantScreeningUSA.com today to get started….

As with any debate there are always two sides.  In the argument over mandatory tenant background checks there are indeed two sides, but with very similar goals.

The movement behind mandatory tenant background checks is based on the need to lower crime rates and, subsequently, reduce the cost of police call-outs to monitor and control criminal activity.

In the city of Dubuque, Iowa their city council has enacted an ordinance requiring tenant background screening.

From their website, a document states:

The City of Dubuque wants landlords to be successful. Screening applications is a proven way to stabilize rental properties, increase occupancies and reduce complaints. As of July 1, 2011, Dubuque rental property owners/managers must perform criminal background checks on all rental applicants.
http://www.cityofdubuque.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3494

At the surface these actions appear innocuous and seemingly straight forward.  In fact some cities in Utah that have enacted similar requirements with a degree of success:

From the Deseret News, July 18, 2008:

Ogden and West Valley City have seen a 12 percent and 30 percent reduction in calls for police and fire service in high-rental neighborhoods since they implemented their programs…
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700244022/Provo-scraps-mandatory-background-checks.html?pg=2

Yet with the success noted above the city of Provo, Utah backed away from a mandatory to a voluntary tenant screening requirement. A rough draft of the ordinance drew unexpected criticism “from property managers concerned about being compelled to complete tenant background checks.”  (Desert News, July 18, 2008)

As reported on NBC’s Dallas-Fort Worth local news website (www.nbcdfw.com) on August 2, 2011, police crackdowns on apartment crime have reduced crime but raised concerns in other areas.

Irving police say an apartment crime crackdown has helped score record low crime rates, but critics say the measure is excluding some people from renting.

Apartment complexes that have a certain amount of crime are required to conduct criminal background screenings on potential tenants.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/NAACP-Criticizes-Mandatory-Tenant-Background-Checks-99805399.html

The NACCP claims that such actions requiring background screenings will unfairly target potential and existing residents.  Individuals with minor or outdated criminal histories could be discriminated against and denied their rights to fair housing.

Regardless of what side one takes in the argument for or against mandatory tenant screening one thing is abundantly clear:  Tenant background screening reduces crime.  With a population that is increasingly transitory, apartments and rental properties are often stopping points.  Running a national and county criminal history report will help reduce crimes against persons and property.

To reinforce the need for Tenant Screening one must consider a recent situation in Kansas.

KCTV, a local television station in Kansas City, recently reported on a months’ long investigation into a particular family that had a long history of moving from one rental property to another, each time being evicted or leaving just before the process began.  During their stays at given rental property the family inflicted tens of thousands of dollars in damage.  Due to the nature of their crime the police could not be involved.  Crimes against properties, in this instance, are civil matters.

The article ends with a local police officer’s sage advice:

First and foremost…pay a professional company to do tenant background checks.
http://www.kctv5.com/story/17014858/kctv-investigates-houses-of-horror

TenantScreeningUSA.com is a professional background screening company with an educated and dedicated staff that can guide property managers and landlords alike through the vast complexities of Tenant Screening.

Tenant screening is a critical tool in creating a safe environment for people and property.  It can reduce crime as well as prevent property damage.  Contact TenantScreeningUSA.com today for assistance in creating the perfect tenant screening package.

Whether it is mandatory or voluntary, Tenant Screening, ultimately, is common sense.

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A recent Chicago Tribune article (January 20, 2012) illustrates the topic of Eviction Reports being a critical component of Tenant Screening.  While the idea of not doing an Eviction Report before engaging a rental agreement would strike some property managers and/or landlords as unthinkable, there are large sectors of the housing economy that apparently do not hold this to be true.

From the Tribune article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/apartments/sc-cons-0119-forceful-evictions-20120120,0,3497119.story

In today’s economic climate, small-time mom-and-pop landlords should do more than run credit checks on would-be tenants. They also should make sure the people they are considering haven’t been forcibly removed from their previous residences.

Credit checks have and remain a central component of a Tenant Screening.  After all, if an individual or family does not show the financial wherewithal to pay rent, there is literally no point in offering a rental property.  Credit Reports are solid indicators of the ability to retain fiscal responsibility toward a rental agreement.

The Tribune article continues:

According to the National Sheriffs’ Association, forceful evictions by law enforcement officers have been on the upswing for the last few years, giving rise to a new group of nomadic tenants, many of whom know how to game the system.

The idea of “nomadic tenants” should give any so-called mom and pop significant pause.  The cost of upkeep and maintenance for small unit rental properties or even single unit rental properties can be significant.  Without the ability to spread this cost over several units profit margins get squeezed.  Additionally, the potential of additional damage or items in need of repair through the eviction process can be noteworthy.

Eviction reports are relatively inexpensive and do provide a significant advantage to the landlord or property manager.  Consider the length of time it takes for an eviction to appear on a credit report, often up to 90 days, to the time it takes forceful eviction to appear on an eviction report, often less than 30 days.  The risk of running only a credit report as a tool in considering a renter is considerable.

At TenantScreeningUSA.com and CriminalBackgroundRecords.com credit reports as well as evictions records are available to landlords and/or property managers of any size.  They have the knowledge, experience, and understanding to greatly assist in any Tenant Screening requirement.  Take the risk out of renting, contact TenantSCreeningUSA.com or CriminalBackgroundRecords.com and speak to one of the skilled consultants in developing the right package of tenant screening reports to fit your exact needs.

Contact TenantScreeningUSA.com today for more information on low-cost, high-value tenant screening.

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TenantScreeningUSA.com is “An Information Enterprises Solution”

1. Tenant Interview.  Face-to-face interviews can create a significant comfort level both for the manager and the tenant.  A carefully worded and crafted interview can provide significant insight to a tenant’s mindset.  Also, appearance, attitude and manners can play a significant role toward decision making.
2. Tenant Background Check.  Often there are several reports and/or documents that can be provided for review that will assist a manager in making a decision on a tenant.

   1. Criminal History.  At the County level a Criminal History check can be a good indicator of future behavior.  However, it is important to understand the limits of Criminal History.  In most cases a Criminal History review can only go back seven years and will only provide convictions.  At the County level it will only show convictions within that jurisdiction.
   2. National Criminal Records.  A National Criminal Records review will provide information on convictions that occur outside a specified jurisdiction, such as a County.  While a County record will certainly report the most current information, a nationwide search will provide a broader scope of information.
   3. Evictions.  An obvious choice but often is overlooked, especially if a Credit Report comes back relatively clean.
   4. Credit Report.  The key document in understanding a potential tenant’s ability to provide fiscal responsibility in fulfilling terms of a lease or tenant agreement.
   5. Nationwide Sex Offenders Report.  Sex offenders can be transient and relying on a single state report would be a mistake.

The housing economy in the United States has become increasingly based on rental properties and renters.  Even as the new home market slowly begins to improve, renting a property may become the de facto favorite form of living.  Renting a home or apartment allows greater flexibility in lifestyle, lower overall maintenance cost and a simpler housing situation.  While home ownership will never lose its appeal, renting a home or property is no longer cast in a less than favorable light.

As this trend of renting increases and more people turn to rental living as their lifestyle choice combined with a broader variety of available properties, landlords, property managers and rental agents must have the ability to get fast results on potential tenants.  Move too slowly and off they go, to another property, another rental option.

Tenant Background Checks are a primary tool utilized by property owners when they consider a new tenant and results have to be quick, accurate and complete.  Used in tandem with applications and interviews, a Tenant Check provides insight to a tenant’s fiscal responsibility as well as a snapshot of the applicant’s past.  Tenant Checks review credit, criminal history and rental history.  It is a relatively simple procedure to conduct but the slightest delay could cost a landlord an ideal tenant.

A fast Tenant Check can afford a good tenant to a property and each good tenant adds to the value of the community.  In the end a safe and secure rental community creates a strong fiscal environment for the property owner.

And it all starts with a fast, accurate and complete Tenant Check.

TenantScreeningUSA.com provides the solutions to every property manager and rental agents needs.  Reports are complete, east-to-read, low-cost and fast.  Now any property owner can get the exact tenants they need to create a safe, secure and financially viable rental community.

Contact TenantScreeningUSA.com today and get started on the fastest, most affordable Tenant Check available.  Pull reports 24 hours a day, on-line and in a safe, secure information portal.  TenantScreengUSA.com…Fast, Simple, Done!

TenantScreeningUSA.com automatically performs a 50-State Sex Offender Search with every tenant check performed through them.  For $25 you get a national criminal check, 50-state sex offender search, viewable credit report, viewable credit score and an actual leasing recommendation.

 
This has been a TenantScreeningUSA.com News Publication – All rights reserved
TenantScreeningUSA.com is “An Information Enterprises Solution”

Every day more and more people turn to rental properties as a form of securing housing for themselves and their families.  The days of home ownership are seemingly becoming a thing of the past.  Renting a single family dwelling, condominium or apartment has evolved beyond a move of last resort to one that is embraced and, in many cases, preferred to ownership.  With the value of properties slow to increase, many feel the risk of ownership is too much.  This gradual shift in attitude has become a boom for property owners, managers and landlords.

With more candidates available to rent a property a landlord must remain diligent in the vetting process for a new tenant.  Often times they may rely only on a few background reports, such as criminal background records check, unlawful detainers and credit check.  Surprisingly a search of the National Sex Offender check can be skipped or overlooked.

National Sex Offender Checks are an essential part of the tenant screening process.  Most importantly, National Sex Offender Checks can assist in creating a safe environment for new tenants as well as existing tenants.  A property can easily gain a reputation of renting to “anyone.”  In such an environment the churn of renters will be high and fiscally secure tenants will be greatly decreased.  Simply put, a complex or property that has a bad reputation will not attract long-term, high value tenants.  National Sex Offender Checks are a low-cost and valuable tool in making a rental or leasing decision, and statistics back this claim up.

A property manager or landlord must protect there tenants.  Consider the following cribbed information from a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice – Bureau of Justice Statistics:

The Justice Department followed roughly 10,000 male sex offenders for three years after they were released from prison in 1994.   Out of this pool of offenders, almost half of them were convicted child molesters.  This study gives huge insight as to the conduct of convicted sex offenders who were discharged from prison and provides a compelling look into their behavior following their release from prison and their conduct over the next three years in a free society.

• Within 3 years following their release, 5.3% of sex offenders (men who had committed rape or sexual assault) were re-arrested for another sex crime.

• The total pool of discharged sex offenders on average only served 3 & 1/2 years of their 8-year sentence.

• Released sex offenders were 4-times more likely to be re-arrested for a sex crime when compared to non-sex-offenders released from state prisons.

A National Sex Offender search should be a part of any tenant screening package.  It is a low cost addition to every tenant background checks.  This is especially true of smaller rental unit properties.  Offenders are likely to target small apartment complexes with the thought that the smaller the property the less likely a Sex Offender Search will take place.

TenantScreeningUSA.com automatically performs a 50-State Sex Offender Search with every tenant check performed through them.  For $25 you get a national criminal check, 50-state sex offender search, viewable credit report, viewable credit score and an actual leasing recommendation.

This has been a TenantScreeningUSA.com News Publication – All rights reserved

TenantScreeningUSA.com is “An Information Enterprises Solution”

In tough economic times more and more families are looking to rental properties as a means to making housing affordable.  And now more than ever there are greater options available to rent.  Single family dwellings, condominiums and apartments are a few rental options available on today’s market.  While selecting the right property to rent can be a significant challenge for a renter, selecting the right renter can be an equal challenge to any landlord or property manager.

There are two key considerations landlords and property managers consider in regards to rental property:  Time and money.

Time is obviously important as empty properties earn no income.  Additionally, an empty property requires upkeep and maintenance and, in some cases, can reduce the value of adjacent units.  Empty rental houses are prime candidates for theft and vandalism.  They can create a significant burden not only to landlords and owners but the community they exist within.  Filling an empty unit is critical.  Returning a unit to a profitable status is a fundamental task of any rental manager.  Money, or cost, is a significant consideration as well.  Keeping costs low is elementary to increasing profits but often the consideration of cost may lead to short cuts in critical components of the rental process.  Most landlords realize that background checks are important but not always essential.  They may run a credit check to ensure a potential tenant can fulfill the obligation of a leasing contract but often that is the only step.

Conducting a background check, or tenant check, need not be an arduous process, or expensive.  Most complete tenant screenings can be fulfilled for around $25.  They are conducted on-line and often provide information within hours on a safe and secure web based portal.

Today’s tenant checks should include the following reports:

• National criminal check – provides information on a criminal past on a national basis.  In most states this information is reportable for the past seven years.
• Credit report with score – provides information on a potential tenant’s fiscal capability.
• National sex offender check – provides information on an individual’s past that may preclude them from living in an environment filled with children and young adults.
• Rental fraud warning – rental fraud is a growing trend in most major metropolitan areas of the United States.
• Detailed rental address history – provides information on the transitory disposition of a potential tenant.
• Leasing recommendation – tells you whether or not you should lease to a potential applicant and under what circumstances such as “accept with a qualified guarantor”

A leasing recommendation takes into account pre-set parameters a leasing agent or landlord sets in place and subsequently makes a recommendation based on the information retrieved through the background screening process.

Vetting a tenant is critical to the success of any rental unit.  Creating a safe environment for new tenants as well as existing tenants can often be achieved through an interview as well as a thorough tenant check.  Renting to the right tenant can reduce exposure to risk as well as potential loss.  Tenant checks conducted online are safe, inexpensive and provide the information any landlord needs to make an informed decision.

Sign up today and get a credit report, credit score, national criminal check, renter fraud warnings and detailed rental address history for only $25!  Go to the following link to create an account today:

https://tsusa.mysmartmove.com/Presentationlayer/Views/CreateAccount.aspx?Role=Undefined

This has been a TenantScreeningUSA.com News Publication – All rights reserved

TenantScreeningUSA.com is “An Information Enterprises Solution”

Property owners can avoid numerous issues that can occur with negligent leasing. Demanding landlords or property management companies conduct tenant screening for all tenants will potentially protect against property damage, theft and violence against others thereby potentially reducing the owner’s risk of financial loss.

As the number of renters in the United States continues to increase the need for reliable tenant screening increases as well. While a credit check will certainly indicate an individual or individual’s ability to be fiscally responsible, a simple background check will go the extra step to provide additional assurances for the rental agency as well as the property owner.

Tenant Screening can consist of several components:
• Credit History – As mentioned, a credit history will show the wherewithal of a renter in their ability to be fiscally viable for the property of inquiry.
• Evictions – Reporting on an individual’s eviction history not only informs on a person’s responsibility to forming a legal contract, but their availability in becoming a long-term asset to a property. The goal of any landlord or property manager is reduced churn in occupancy. The more time a property sits empty the greater the cost.
• Bankruptcies, Liens & Judgments – These reports will reveal any potential “hidden” risk to renting a property.
• County Criminal Records Search – will report any activity in a specific county. A county criminal records check is the most reliable and up-to-date report available.
• National Criminal Search – Crime does not always occur close to home and this report will show activity not only in the state of residence but other states as well.
Essentially, running a background check is a tool to reduce risk and manage potential risk. And risk can come in many forms: Property, Personal, and Environmental. Without managing risk a property owner may open themselves to significant liability.

The advantages of tenant background screening that eliminates negligent leasing are numerous:

• Property is protected. Theft and property destruction can be greatly reduced if not eliminated entirely.
• People are protected. A rental property that has a high turnover can destroy the value of the property.
• Investment is protected. Rental properties should command a level of return that meets the needs and goals of an owner. The opportunity to meet that return on investment is greatly increased through the proper vetting of tenants. Reliable, long-term tenants will allow greater profitability than riskier, more transient renters.

In the end it may come down to the cost of conducting tenant background screening for a property owner. While running a credit check has always been a part of the tenant vetting process and often charged to the potential tenant, running a complete background check may be a new experience and a new cost. But consider the cost of one bad tenant. A bad tenant can drive away long-term tenants, those that pay on time and renew leases year-after-year, as well as destroy property. Additionally, the potential for negligent activity on the part of a bad tenant may ultimately result in a significant cost to the property owner, in the form of law suits or other legal activity.

Take the risk out of leasing a property. Tenant screening checks are fast, affordable and reliable. Contact TenantScreeningUSA.com for more information.

This has been a TenantScreeningUSA.com News Publication – All rights reserved
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