How to Run a Background Check on a Tenant

Any prudent landlord understands that it is important to perform a background check on every potential tenant before they sign on the dotted line. Almost every landlord has a tale or two about the tenant from hell, and although a private investigator background check can't entirely eliminate the possibility of ending up with such a tenant, it can greatly reduce the probability of such instances.

As a landlord, you should know which private investigator you need to get in touch with when you need a background check done.

Private investigators will not need to be furnished with as much information as possible about the tenant. In fact, in many cases, all that is required is a name and contact details.

It can also be helpful to get the identity and address of their employer and their most recent home address. Once you've provided the private detective with this information, they should be ready to start the investigation after getting the consent of the tenant.

The most commonly used item in a tenant background check will be a computer with an internet connection. Many agencies in the UK have availed their records online and even requests for certain records can simply be placed over the internet. In some instances, the private investigator will need to do some legwork or travel to another location to acquire or verify information.

Typically, the kind of information that will be of interest to landlords include:

• Financial circumstances of the prospective tenant e.g. employment status, credit status etc.
• Rent payment history (e.g. how often was the tenant late with the rent)
• History of paying utility bills
• Complaints made by previous neighbours
• Damage was done to other properties etc.