How to Do a Background Check UK

When you enter any kind of relationship with another person or business entity, you assume a certain amount of risk. This risk can be:

• Safety and security
• Legal liability
• Potential monetary loses etc.

Typically, only the most basic information is required to initiate the private investigator background check. The investigator will usually need the person's name and contact details. Contact details are required so the private investigator can get consent from the subject of the investigation e.g. tenant, potential employee etc. It's also not unusual for the private investigator to ask for the person's address and their current place of work. For example, if the subject is a tenant, this allows the investigator to follow up with their employer to establish if the person is indeed their employee.

The first step in many background checks is getting in touch with the subject of the investigation to get their consent. Once the investigator has the person's consent, they can use it to access the relevant files which may be financial records, medical records and other information.

The private investigator can also visit offices to access information that is in the public domain e.g. criminal records, marriage records etc. Sometimes, the check can be as simple as going through someone's social media pages.

The amount of time it takes a private investigator to complete a background check will depend on certain factors. These include:

• The type of records needed: Getting financial records can be done in a few hours while it can take up to 8 weeks to complete a criminal background check.
• Compliance of other entities: A private investigator may need to get information from current and past employers, previous landlords, spouses etc. The speed with which these individuals comply will affect the time required to finish the investigation.
• Accessibility of the information: Getting information from certain entities or locations can be difficult or impossible e.g. getting criminal records from other countries etc.

For example, here are a few entities and information that may interest them:

• Landlords: A history of late rent payments, unpaid utility bills, damage to property, a nuisance to neighbours etc.
• Employer: Inaccurate information in the resume, a criminal record that creates a conflict of interest, poor performance on previous jobs etc.
• Potential spouse: Previously undisclosed relationships, a criminal record, financial insecurity etc.
• Prospective Business Partner: Inflated valuation, unethical business practices etc.