Screening Question: Background Check on under 18?

Screening Question: Background Check on under 18? by Bob (PA) on March 21, 2012 @20:41

Hello everyone,

Had a showing/interview with a new prospective tenant today. She looks like a solid tenant and meets our requirements. She mentioned that she has a son that will be living with her over the summer before he goes away to prep school. She mentioned that he was expelled from an area Catholic high school and is graduating from the local public high school this year.

While she seems great, I am potentially concerned about her son being a problem. Any recommendations on how to continue my due diligence? Since he will be living with her, can I run a criminal background check on him to see if he has a history? He's 17.

Thanks,
Bob

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Re: Screening Question: Background Check on under 18? by Jake on March 21, 2012 @21:20	[ Reply ]

I am not sure what kind of a prep school a high school graduate goes to anymore. What is he being preped for? Sounds more like a juvenile boot camp. If he was expelled from a Catholic school you can bet the kid has some kind of history. He is trouble. Once he gets his foot in the door a bulldozer will not be able to pull him out. Because this 17 year old is the tenant's son you can not refuse him as a tenant and you can not limit how long he gets to stay.

Re: Screening Question: Background Check on under 18?

Re: Screening Question: Background Check on under 18? by MrDan (Georgia) on March 22, 2012 @10:52	[ Reply ]

Since the son is under 18, you might have to have the mothers permission to conduct a background check. Also, if the mother qualifies and meets your requirements, then beware of turning her down due to the son, as this is a violation of the FHA under family status.

Re: Screening Question: Background Check on under 18?

Re: Screening Question: Background Check on under 18? by OK-LL on March 22, 2012 @15:19	[ Reply ]

There will be no credit history for a minor since they can't enter into a contract, for instance for a credit card. There will likely be no criminal history available for a minor as those are usually sealed. You can probably find traffic tickets, but it would be a waste of your time to bother with a background check. If you are search public sources, you do not need permission from anyone, minor or adult.

Re: Screening Question: Background Check on under 18? by Anonymous on March 24, 2012 @04:54	[ Reply ]

No, you cannot run a criminal check on a 17 year old. Move on to the next prospective tenant.