Where To Go For Credit/background Checks?
Can the experienced landlords please tell me what service they use for credit and background checks of their tenants? Please let me know why you choose this service and any other recommendations you may have regarding the tenant screening process.
I am currently screening tenants for a single family townhouse in a middle class neighborhood.
Thanks,
Adam[ Edited by AdamR61 on Date 04/18/2004 ]
National Tenant Network... they're on the web. that's why i use them. they can do criminal search, judgment search, as well as credit report. They have downloadable forms for you to have your tenant fill out and sign, then you can go online, enter your access code (issued when you open the account) and plug in all the data. You will get a very quick response. I can't remember what it cost to set up the account, I want to say less than $50 and credit pulls are billed to a credit card automatically. They are efficient and very professional as well as patient if you have questions about a credit report item...'
bonnie in nj
Once I get into the rental area of REI more I plan to set an account up with Factual Data. They have really impressed me and are very cheap. I can do a criminal check online for free in my state so I opted only for a credit report and score from equifax which is most accurate here. They have many options--most of them which I do not remember right now--but I would definatly check them out.
The only place I could find that didn't require a separate business address in order to pull credit was here:
http://www.thelpa.com/lpa/credit.html
Those FCRA forms make a good screening device, IMO. I gave out about 50, got 5 signed authorizations back.
I have used National Tenant Network for 10 years and honestly I think they are the best. They take the time to work with you and help answer any questions.
I also use www.freecriminalreports.com to pre-screen everyone, it helps me reduce the cost if it happens to be a source on the net for a free criminal reports.