Saturday, November 25, 2017

The Importance Of Tenant Credit Check In Property Leases

By Maria Graham


When you are a property owner, you have many things on your plate. In addition to keeping the building maintained, you must also make sure your tenants not only pay their rent on time but are also happy. This helps you keep the building's mortgage paid on time. However, when it comes to a new tenant, things are a little more difficult; you are taking a chance on an unknown client. However, a tenant credit check and screening can help narrow down the application process, and make your search a little easier.

The practice provides critical information for the record and future reference. If an occupant does leave owing money or with items from the property you will presumably turn to their file and the information that is stored here could lead to finding them quickly and discreetly. Finding tenants who have disappeared can be straightforward as long as you have the information you need.

Always make sure to ask who the named tenant will be. Will it be a business entity, corporation, a person, persons, etc.? This is because a corporation or other juridical entities have a separate report, otherwise known as the business credit-report and that the person named as a renter will be the one a landlord goes after first.

For instance, if the tenant named is Corporation ABC made up of Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C. Then the correct check would be for the corporation, not the individuals who make up the corporation. Why? Simple, because under the law a corporation is separate and distinct from its members and as a general rule the liability of the corporation does not extend to the individual owners.

More importantly, look for rental history during the tenant screening. Student loans are an expense like any other that is put on the back burner by many, especially if the payment is higher than others. Not that this excuses anything, but just keep it in mind.

The report may cost $30 and hopefully will be put away and never be used but should the situation arise where it is needed it will pay for itself many times over. It is important that you get the first steps right so should you need to trace a lessee through the tenant check you can.

Most occupants are honest and simply want a place to call home; they will pay their rent and not cause any problems for you. There are a few who do not play by the rules, and this is your way of saying that you will not stand for it. If you have this information obtaining county court judgments and attachment of earnings is much easier. If you want any chance of getting your money back, you need to know where to find the tenant before these measures can be put in place; a check will help you do just that.

However, it is important to note that this report can only be obtained if the landlord requests a written authorization letter from the applicant for an assessment. Remember; ask for separate authorizations for every person of legal age to occupy the property.




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