background - Landlord Forum thread

background by Roland (pa) on November 20, 2009 @19:24

Should every tenant be given a criminal-background check? Does this cause applicants NOT TO rent?

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Re: background by Micah on November 20, 2009 @19:34	[ Reply ]
Yes and yes. People with criminal records are more likely to not apply if they know that you don't accept convicted felons... That is, if you charge an application fee. If you don't charge an app fee then you will be drowning in apps from criminals hoping that you were bluffing about the background check.

Re: background

Re: background by Anonymous on November 20, 2009 @21:07	[ Reply ]
Yes Roland. Yes Roland, it causes you to not rent to PITA criminal tenants whom you DO NOT WANT! Duh!

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Re: background

Re: background by Anonymous on November 20, 2009 @22:23

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Roland...Every person age 18 or older should be on the lease and subjected to a background check for a number of good reasons. This includes the boyfriend, girlfriend and the daughter's "Baby Daddy." Because when the main pack leader moves out, these are the people you will be stuck with. You simply can not allow anyone with a criminal record of any kind stay in your rental. Ask in the application if anyone of them has ever been convicted or even charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. Remember that felony's are often pleaded down to a misdemeanor. When you question them on the application, leave space to explain. Often, applicants will admit to charges or crimes that may have been removed from the public record and will not show up in a background check. Be careful with even those with a DWI or two. You will also need to run them through a Civil Court records check. People who have been too busy in Civil Court should also be rejected. Except for a divorce, it is often not clear what the offense was. It may have been other landlords or customer's from their "self employment." Remember too that everyone you rent too will have others in the wings waiting to join them. So, you must make it clear in the lease that this is a violation that will result in extra charges or eviction. Then specify the extra charges as a per person and plenty. The intention is to discourage them or make it cost them. I assure you it will cost you.