There are three areas that are key to a successful and financially sustainable rental property: People, Property, and Perception

As any good property manager or landlord knows the key to a long-term, financially viable rental property is full occupancy with long-term residents. The trick remains in sustaining long-term residency.

There are three areas where long-term residency can be created: People, Property, and Perception. Each is equally important and success in each area can potentially lead to long-term relationships with renters. And it all starts with tenant screening.

Tenant screening is a relatively simple task that is a central part of a much more challenging activity: Vetting potential tenants. There are several aspects involved with vetting tenants. First, and foremost, is the interview process. A landlord or property manager should conduct this activity face-to-face with the potential tenant, thus allowing a candid conversation with each party sharing expectations. After filling out the application, a candidate should be put through a thorough tenant check. This task should include reviewing financial viability, criminal history (as allowed by state and local law), and evictions. In additional landlords and property managers may find it beneficial to have references reviewed and wait for the deposit check to clear prior to turning over the keys.

The fundamental purpose of a tenant check is twofold. One, it allows the landlord to make a decision based on current data regarding the candidate, thus creating financial surety and, two, creating a safe environment for the people already living in the rental community.

Protecting the current populous of a rental property is critical to long-term renters. The people that make up the community will have a significant impact on long-term relationships. One bad tenant can ruin a living experience and, if not handled properly, can lead long-term renters to move.

Property is equally important. A well maintained living space can greatly enhance a living environment. However, it is important that maintenance workers and contractors be background screened, especially if these individuals are allowed unsupervised entry to a renter’s home or apartment.

Further, people and property lead into perception. If a property gains a bad perception in the potential renter’s eye that perception may well become reality. However, perception is reality for properties that receive frequent police callouts or other activities such as widespread graffiti or vandalism.

Landlords that manage properties with bad perceptions can work with local police departments in order to “clean-up” the property. Increased patrols can greatly assist in creating a safe environment.

If a property manager or landlord focuses on people, property, and perception long-term relationships and renters will follow. The goal for any rental property large or small is financial surety and it starts with thorough tenant screening.

TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party background screening company that offers thorough, affordable, and secure tenant checks for property managers large and small. TenantScreeningUSA.com is fully compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations that enforce the tenant screening industry.

The Internet has made everything easy. Easy access, easy information, easy data mining.

What is data mining?

data mining
noun Digital Technology
the process of collecting, searching through, and analyzing a large amount of data in a database, as to discover patterns or relationships.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/data+mining

In other words, data mining is the collection of information through a wide variety of sources and gathered into databases. This information can be culled from sources such as the DMV, Facebook, membership cards, and other data providers.

Information gathered is often utilized by marketing companies to make “predictions” based on past behavior and thus inform how a particular thing, such as a consumer product or movie, should be marketing to a “specific” segment of population based on statistical data.

A recent on-line article speaks to this:

Every day, without even knowing it, you share intimate personal details about your life with people you’ve never met. The medical symptoms you search online follow you: first to the pharmacy where you pick up a prescription, then to a database of specialists looking to add you as a patient, or to an insurance company creating a risk pool. The car you’ve researched on the Web has been broadcast to your local dealerships before you’ve even left the house. When you walk in the door, the salesman already knows which color you want—as well as your salary and driving history—and pulls the shiny new car of your dreams around front. http://prospect.org/article/meet-stalkers

Within background screening industry databases are often used. However, they are but one piece of information a third-party background screening company relies upon. Most viable and legally compliant third-party background screening companies utilize a network of county court researchers to provide up-to-date and current information. Further, they have the ability and legal obligation to review all data provided to property managers, landlords, companies, and individuals both for their legality and validity.

However, there are companies and Internet Websites that claim to provide low-cost information that seemingly could be used for tenant screening purposes, but landlords and property managers should remain cautious.

In 2012 Spokeo was fined by the FTC in the amount of $800,000 for misrepresenting information and marketing data in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Information found on the internet through databases may be outdated, erroneous, or misappropriated. Landlords and property managers should work with third-party providers to ensure the data gathered and the manner it is gathered remains lawful.

Background-check companies must follow the same rules as the credit bureaus: Namely, they must obtain authorization by the subject of a background check before the check is run and provide the results of those checks once a year free of charge to anyone who asks, a valuable consumer protection against wanton abuse and fraud. http://prospect.org/article/meet-stalkers

Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “People should really think twice about what they put on-line, especially in social media, places like Facebook. But information can be gathered from almost anywhere.” Almeida also cautions landlords and property managers from relying on databases as the only means of gathering information. “Especially with credit checks, potential tenants have rights that must be observed and certain releases signed before information can be legally collected.”

Ultimately, in the data age it is best to work with people. At TenantScreeningUSA.com highly trained operators are ready to work with the exacting needs and requirements of landlords and property managers. Utilized in a legal way databases can be valuable, but one has to know the laws that govern information use. Contact TenantScreeningUSA.com today to get started.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy home owners and property managers are scrambling to make repairs on both vacation rentals and the rental season.

A state report on tourism released last week called it the $22 billion question: Will the shore be ready for summer? Rentals are the key to that, and to the shore economy, which in turn generates half of the state’s $40 billion tourist market. With fewer renters, restaurants and stores do not see as much business, cannot hire as many people, or generate as much tax revenue for a state already suffering from losses to the property base. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/nyregion/shore-rebuilding-renters-go-south-for-summer.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

The effect of rental loss is obviously devastating but there are a few homes that survived the hurricane relatively unscathed. However, beaches remain closed or severely damaged, the boardwalks requires massive repairs, and some streets remain impassable.

The remaining rentals on the market may be available at greatly reduced cost as homeowners become desperate for income. With that desperation short-cuts may be taken in order to get a vacation renter.

Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com said: “Vacation property owners may think that the cost of a tenant check is something that can be eliminated in the rental process; however this is not a good idea. It is very risky to forgo tenant checks which only cost around $25 to place. This small amount of money equates into a large amount of value and not a wise place to cut corners.”

It is a challenging situation.

Even some houses that are ready to rent are having a hard time finding tenants; it’s no one’s idea of a summer vacation to see a house off its foundation two doors down, or hear contractors up the street sawing at 7 a.m. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/nyregion/shore-rebuilding-renters-go-south-for-summer.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

One must consider the cost of the smallest renovations or repairs when renting. There are individuals willing to take advantage of the situation by renting a repaired home and vandalizing that property. A vacation tenant check will help alleviate that possibility.

Tenant screening is a low-cost tool in vetting potential vacation renters. Most owners and/or property managers utilize this tool as a part of the rental process. Even in the best of times tenant screening should be conducted as a routine step in renting out a home or multi-unit dwelling.

“It is easy to think that renting a property for a week or two at a time is different than renting a property long-term, but it is not. Short term rentals should be treated as if they were long-term. The same issues with a bad tenant can arise regardless of how much time they occupy a property,” Almeida said.

Utilizing a third-party background screening company, such as TenantScreeningUSA, is the best way to vet a potential vacation renter.

“Even in these challenging times post-Hurricane Sandy it is critical to conduct thorough tenant checks,” Almeida added.

TenantScreeningUSA.com provides full service background screening to landlords and property managers of any size. The site also provides affordable tenant checks to every landlord whether it is a long-term permanent rental, or a relatively short-term vacation rental.

As the economic recovery from the Great Recession of 2008 continues to chug along, opportunity for investment remains high. Individuals are taking on ownership of investment properties both in single-family housing and small unit apartment complexes, and small unit commercial properties.

Renting and Leasing commercial units is not unlike renting and leasing a family unit. Both investments can be made at a reasonable cost and both investments can bring financial reward.

With commercial and residential rental properties the key to profitability relies on one simple fact: Long-term renters.

Constant turnover of units creates serious challenges. First and foremost, an empty unit draws no income and, after all, the point of an investment is to make a profit. Secondly, empty units invite potential vandalism, especially in commercial properties. And, finally, empty or high turnover units can create a negative perception of a given property.

Many landlords and property managers of residential properties conduct tenant checks on all new tenants. They know that a thorough tenant screening can assist in selecting a financially sound, potentially long-term resident. Further, tenant checks assist in creating a safe environment for the community as well. Long-term residents enhance a community and can lead to becoming a desirable living environment for others.

The same holds true for commercial properties, especially smaller properties where the owner may act as property manager to hold down cost. Tenant checks can be conducted on the principles of any small company wanting to move into a unit.

There are a number of screening reports that can be optimized in conducting a commercial property tenant screening.

• County Criminal History – Provides conviction information, by county, on principle owners of a given business.

• Evictions – Combined with Reference Verification, an eviction report could provide critical information for a potential commercial tenant.

• Bankruptcies, liens and judgments – These reports will review information on a national level.

Of course Consumer Credit Reports and Sex Offender Registry reviews are helpful, if not obvious reports of value.

When an investor makes the decision to purchase a small unit commercial property they should keep in mind the same principles as a residential landlord: Risk management. Tenant screening is the key component of risk management and just as a residential landlord wants to create a safe environment and financial security with long-term residents, so too does a commercial property owner. A long-term renter can lead to a safer community and attract other potential long-term residents, ultimately creating a lucrative financial return. Tenant screening is an important tool in creating this reality.

TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party background screening company specializing in tenant screening both for residential and commercial property owners. They specialize in working with owner/operators of small unit commercial properties. Visit TenantScreeningUSA.com to assist in creating a Commercial Property Tenant Screening package.

The abuse of Methamphetamine has long been the scourge of modern society. The drug is readily available and relatively easy to manufacture. Recent headlines suggest that the epidemic is not abating anytime soon and the use of rental properties for meth labs continues.

A recent article in the FayObserver (The Fayetteville Observer, January 5, 2013) highlights the cost of cleanup when a rental property is involved with the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.

More than two months after a working methamphetamine lab was discovered in Gates Four, no arrests have been made and the home remains vacant, authorities said… Authorities said decontamination can cost up to $200,000. http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/01/04/1228439?sac=fo.local

Certainly the cost of an unrented apartment or single-family home is problematic but when one includes the cost of clean-up for a methamphetamine lab significant cost can lead to bankruptcy or loss of income property.

Properly vetting potential renters can greatly assist in making clean decisions about a candidate’s viability. Typical tenant checks include credit scores, previous evictions, and criminal histories. While it is difficult to make an assessment when a potential renter has no criminal past. However, with recidivism rates remaining high, the chance of discovering a criminal history that could lead to future crime remains strong. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/09/5040073/dont-build-more-jails-fix-inmate.html

Once a property has been identified as housing a methamphetamine lab there are greater challenges beyond clean-up. The ability to sell or re-rent the property becomes problematic

In an on-line article (www.stltoday.com, January 7, 2013) the City of Crestwood passed a law in regards to meth lab clean-up:

The law requires the owner of any structure that housed a meth lab to thoroughly clean the premises before it can be sold or rented. The law is an addition to the city’s other inspection criteria and is enforced by the Public Works Department. http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/news/crestwood-passes-meth-cleanup-law/article_d357e676-f52d-5ef9-b443-c6a4d52ad502.html

The Crestwood Police Chief made the following recommendation:

“One result is that landlords might need to screen their tenants a little better…” http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/news/crestwood-passes-meth-cleanup-law/article_d357e676-f52d-5ef9-b443-c6a4d52ad502.html

And the problem of meth labs in rental properties should also be the concern of new tenants, as well. Understanding the history of the property is important, especially if involved with the production of methamphetamine. During the manufacture process the chemicals used in the production of meth as well as the final product can get into carpet, furniture, walls, and curtains.

Drug task force authorities across the country are urging new homeowners to check into the drug history of the previous homeowners or tenants, because the residual effects of drugs within a home – especially the chemical deposits from the manufacturing of methamphetamines – can linger for years and cause major health problems for the home’s new occupants. http://glendora.patch.com/articles/is-your-home-a-former-meth-lab

The Department of Justice/DEA offers an on-line Clandestine Laboratory Registry at

The incidence of meth labs in private homes is on the upswing.

In 2011, 10,287 meth lab incidents were reported across the nation— up 39 percent from 2008. There were also an estimated 2.5 million meth-contaminated homes in the U.S.

Adam Almeida, CEO and President of TenantScreeningUSA.com strongly encourages property managers and landlords to conduct thorough tenant screening. “With in-home meth labs on the rise it is critical landlord’s understand who they are renting to, especially small unit or single dwelling landlords. The cost of clean-up, the loss of income, and the potential inability to sell a property is a significant concern.”

TenantScreeningUSA.com offers comprehensive tenant screening packages that will assist property owners in making important decisions about who they rent their properties. For more information or to create an account visit TenantScreeningUSA.com

With demand for rental units on the rise landlords and property managers may have an easier time renting out properties. The population in the United States has become increasingly transient as the search for employment moves individuals and families across states and the country itself. And as the housing market remains in flux many people choose to rent, either out of necessity or choice.

Critical choices remain to be made in renting a property. Every landlord/property manager wants to find tenants that will become long-term, tenants that will maintain and care for a property, and tenants that will fit into the community as a whole.

Finding potential candidates may be easy, but finding the right one is a challenge.

One of the challenges is with the tenant check process. Large properties may have access to the information and reports required to make a decision but small property owners and independent landlords may have limited access. And, for smaller properties every penny counts, just as every minute counts. After all, time is money.

TenantScreeningUSA.com has the solution.

In partnership with TransUnion, TenantScreeningUSA.com has the ability to provide the same tenant screening tools larger companies utilize to the smallest tenant/landlord situation.

Their program, SmartMove®, provides quick access, prompt results, and comprehensive data. A landlord/property manager also gets flexible payment terms and a choice to who pays, either the property or the potential candidate. And, perhaps, the most important aspect is the “Joint-Tenant Recommendation.”

A candidate’s background information is drawn from criminal history and credit databases and a leasing recommendation is made, based on parameters set by the landlord.

Typical information drawn is:

• Consumer Credit History

• Criminal History

• Renter Fraud Warnings

The transaction is performed through a secure internet portal and data transactions are conducted on line. It is a simple process.

• Set up an account

• Provide a potential renter’s email address

Once the potential renter receives the email, information is provided by the candidate and that data is verified by TransUnion. At that point a recommendation is provided to the landlord.

SmartMove® is designed specifically for the smaller property owner. It is fast, simple, and, most importantly, secure.

Time is of the essence even when there are a multitude of options amongst a growing rental population. Small property owners and landlords need the ability to make fast, low-cost, secure decisions about who they are going to rent property. SmartMove® through TenantScreeningUSA.com puts the small rental property owner on a level playing field with the big boys.

Every day headlines are filled with terrifying tales of information fraud and identity theft.  It is a common occurrence and one that will continue into the future.  In an age where devious individuals go through trash to find discarded documents that may contain critical information, people need to protect themselves or they could wind up in the headlines.

One area of concern is in renting a property.  With more and more Americans becoming transient and forgoing home ownership to rent a home or apartment, the opportunity for information theft is very high during the rental process.  Anytime critical information is exchanged with another individual via an application or similar process the opportunity for identity theft exists.

Once a rental candidate finds a property of interest two things happen:

1. Tour the property.
2. Fill out the application and get a credit report.

The information on a rental application is all the data an information thief needs:  Name, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number.  Those three pieces of information, in the wrong hands, can destroy an individual’s credit history.

What’s a renter to do?

TenantScreeningUSA.com offers a solution:  SmartMove.  SmartMove is a service every potential renter should know about and utilize.  This service not only provides a one-stop data collection point for a renter’s application information, but it will protect all sensitive information in a secure manner.

SmartMove will:

• · Keep personal information private — keep sensitive information such as your Social Security, birth date and bank account numbers private by verifying your identity directly with TransUnion – a trusted source for consumer data online. Your sensitive information never has to be seen by your potential landlord.
• · Faster application processing — give your consent and your potential landlord will have everything required to complete the screening process within minutes.
• · “Soft” hit — don’t let your apartment search negatively affect your credit report and credit score. SmartMove lets you be the one to initiate the request, which won’t impact your credit in a negative way.
• · Joint-tenant recommendations — single recommendation for joint renters and co-signers

TenantScreeningUSA.com has partnered with TransUnion in creating a secure program ideal for renters.  Data is collected through a secure Internet portal that allows the exchange of information to occur between the perspective tenant and TransUnion.  Information is not sent in the open, is not written on a document, and is not sent to a landlord or property manager.

What a landlord will receive is a leasing recommendation, a credit report, and a criminal history background check.  The tenants’ identifying information, such as their Social Security Number, Date of Birth, and Bank Account Numbers, remains secure.  Also, the transaction is nearly instant thus providing a quick turnaround.  This will be of significant benefit in a rental market that has become highly competitive.

To get started go to http://tenantscreeningusa.com/renter-background-check/ and click on “Create An Account.”  It is a quick and painless process, one that will create peace of mind and keep a renter’s personally identifiable information safe and secure in an unpredictable world.

Now that the kids are back in school and fall is in the air, the holiday season fast approaches. Some people look toward Christmas or Thanksgiving. But the rush of the holidays truly starts with Halloween.

Every year neighborhood children dress as ghouls and goblins, lions and princesses. Scary costumes to friendly costumes: it is, after all, trick or treat.

Finding tenants for rental properties is a lot like Halloween: Trick or Treat.

There are numerous challenges to finding a good tenant. Beyond the fiscal ability to afford a monthly rent or lease other factors come into play. Are perspective tenants going to be a positive part of the rental community? Will they care for the property in a respectful way? Will they follow the rules of a given property?

Consider the damage a bad tenant can cause:

1. Failure to pay rent. Obvious, sure, but inability to pay rent destroys the return on investment for a property.
2. Failure to peacefully exist within a community. Unruly bad tenants can drive away long-term renters and every property manager and landlord knows that a long-term renter is ideal. They pay on-time, keep the peace, and behave in a manner generally accepted by those living around them. Loss of a long-term renter further destroys or decreases return on investment.
3. Damage to property. A bad tenant that destroys property is difficult to evict and eviction, in itself, is a time-consuming and costly activity. Further, damage to the interior of a property can add up quickly. Also, damage to the exterior of property not only decreases the value of that property, it can help destroy the reputation of a property. Property damage can lead to having a bad reputation overall, one that lends itself to less than ideal tenants seeking rental property.

Good tenants only heighten the value of a property and its community. They create long-term fiscal stability for owners, enhance the general population of a rental community thereby creating a desirable community other potential good tenants may want to live in.

With the continued economic woes and slow return to growth, more and more individuals and families are turning to rental properties as their primary home. With strong demand and relatively low supply the landlords and property managers have the opportunity to make careful selections.

In order to avoid the “trick” property managers and landlords must carefully screen new and perspective tenants. Careful interviews and tenant checks greatly assist in this process.

Tenant screening should review a renters background in a thorough way:

• References from previous properties
• Consumer Credit Checks
• Criminal History background checks both a local (county) and National level
• Bankruptcies, Liens, and Judgments
• Evictions
• Local and national sex offender registry review

Enjoy the “treat” of a good tenant through a proper review of their background history. Understanding what an individual or family can bring to a property is more than just another unit leased. Long term renters provide a degree of fiscal stability, assist in creating a pleasant and desirable community, and enhance the reputation of a given property.

Don’t end up with a “trick” renter, enjoy the “treat.”

TenantScreeningUSA.com has been providing the information landlords and property managers need to make a solid decision on “treat” renters. Understanding a perspective tenants background as well as conducting a solid interview goes a long way in creating a profitable environment. Contact TenantScreeningUSA.com for a program that will help make that decision. Quick, cost effective, and efficient, TenantScreeningUSA.com is the first step to a Happy Halloween.

As the leaves begin to turn and the chill of autumn fills the air, millions of young adults return to college and university campuses across the United States. There is a sense of excitement, anticipation, and eagerness to get started; the thrill of new experiences and achievements; and the trepidation over living arrangements.

While many colleges offer on-campus housing, the supply often outweighs the demand. Although each community is different and their availability of housing fluid, most communities struggle to keep up with demand.

As the economy struggles to return, many families that have been forced out of ownership have been forced into the rental market. Low cost housing that was once the bailiwick of college students have been taken over by families.

But many college students have more flexibility than the average American family seeking shelter. Parents and family members often contribute financially to a student’s living arrangements and that allows more options. Of course college students seek out other arrangements as well.

Renting a room in a family’s home or renting a house with the cost spread out over several roommates are common practices in towns where rental housing is significantly impacted. But there can be risk involved in not knowing your roommate.

Landlords and property managers are diligent in screening their tenants in order to create safe living environments as well as ensuring the fiscal capability of a tenant. Without a tenant check there can be significant risk and the potential loss to property, both physical and financial, can increase. A thorough tenant check will review a perspective tenant’s fiscal capability, their rental history, and criminal histories.

When a young adult looks into renting a room in a family dwelling, the homeowner should be just as diligent and conduct a tenant check on the student. While they may not have the credit or rental history an older candidate might, it is important to understand what information is available. Often a co-signer may be required, and those individuals should be background checked as well, if only to ensure fiscal responsibility and worthiness.

Renting a home shared by several roommates can be a daunting task as well. This is a risky proposition for a property owner. A tenant check should be conducted on all individuals living in the house and a firm rental agreement in place, one that explicitly outlines the responsibilities of all renters. Further, it may be of benefit for the tenant checks to be shared amongst the group of roommates. This would provide information drawn from public agencies that would inform the group who they are living with.

In the end the challenges of attending college can be severe. Limited classroom space and class selection, reduction in resources, and higher tuition fees all combine to impact the student. Add to this the challenge of finding a viable living space and the pressure increases.

Tenant checks help alleviate the stress. Both for landlords and property managers, as well as a group of roommates that may not know each other, a tenant check can provide valuable information in making a big decision.

TenantScreeningUSA.com has the tools that prove valuable to both landlord and tenant. To get more information go to TenantScreeningUSA.com. They have the experience and access to information required to make an informed rental decision.