California

California Tenant Screening & Background Checks

Conduct California tenant screening background checks on every applicant before leasing your rental property. A thorough screening process helps protect your rental income, property condition, and reputation as a landlord.

AAOA provides California tenant screening background checks designed for landlords and property managers, including credit reports, eviction history options, criminal searches, identity verification, and more.

Reports Include:

  • Credit report & credit score
  • Previous Address Tenant History (PATH report)
  • SSN fraud report
  • Telecheck verification
  • Eviction history (state-specific or nationwide options)
  • Criminal history (state-specific or nationwide options)

California Tenant Screening for Landlords

Credit reports, eviction history, criminal searches and identity verification. FCRA-compliant tenant screening. Packages start at $19.99. Landlord or Tenant Pay options available.

Order California Screening Reports

What’s Included in AAOA California Tenant Screening Background Checks

 

Credit Report & Credit Score (Free with Screening)

Receive a credit report and credit score with every California tenant screening background check package. Credit history helps you evaluate payment patterns, identify collections or charge-offs, and cross-reference information provided on the rental application.

FCRA Compliance: All California tenant screening background checks are processed in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Proper applicant authorization is required before obtaining consumer reports.

Previous Address Tenant History (PATH Report)

The Previous Address Tenant History (PATH report) helps reveal addresses associated with an applicant’s Social Security number. This can help identify omitted addresses and support a more complete rental history review for your California rental property applicants.

SSN Fraud Report

If there is limited history returned on the PATH report, the SSN fraud report can help you identify potentially fraudulent Social Security numbers. Identity verification is an important part of California tenant screening background checks and can help reduce application misrepresentation.

Eviction History Options (California or Nationwide)

AAOA offers a variety of California tenant screening background check packages, including state-specific eviction history options and nationwide eviction history reports, depending on your screening needs.

Telecheck Verification (Included)

Telecheck verification helps identify whether an applicant has tendered bad checks or has outstanding bad checks. The Telecheck system contains more than 50 million bad check records. Telecheck verification is included with every California tenant screening background check package.

Criminal Records History (State or Nationwide)

Search criminal records history with screening packages that include state-specific or nationwide criminal searches. Criminal history reports support informed rental decisions as part of California tenant screening background checks.

Sex Offender & Terrorism Searches (Package Option)

Some California tenant screening background check packages include sex offender and terrorism database searches. These additional searches can help landlords evaluate applicant risk factors during the screening process.

Fast, Automated Reports

The automated reports provided with California tenant screening background check packages help you review up-to-date applicant information efficiently, including rental history indicators, criminal records history (where available), and identity verification signals.

How California Tenant Screening Works

  1. Select your California tenant screening background check package
  2. Submit applicant information
  3. Reports are generated securely
  4. Review the results and make your rental decision

Automated reports provide up-to-date information to help you evaluate applicants quickly and confidently. These California tenant screening background checks provide landlords with reliable decision-making data.

California Tenant Screening Laws & Application Fee Limits

California landlords are permitted to use credit reports and other tenant screening reports to determine whether to rent to an applicant, according to California Landlord Tenant Law. California law also permits landlords to charge actual, reasonable fees for obtaining tenant screening background checks. (Civ. Code §§ 1950.6)

Fees: As of March 2023, landlords may charge a maximum screening fee of $59.67 per applicant. The application fee is adjusted annually commensurate with an increase in the Consumer Price Index, beginning on January 1, 1998.

Purpose of Fees: The fee may only be used for actual out-of-pocket costs of obtaining a credit report and the reasonable value of time spent by a landlord in acquiring a credit report and checking personal references and background information. (Civ. Code §§ 1950.6)

Landlord’s Duties: A landlord who uses the screening fee to obtain the potential tenant’s credit report is required to give the applicant a copy of the report upon request. (Civ. Code §§ 1950.6)

Unit Availability: A landlord may not charge a screening fee if no rental unit is available unless the applicant agrees to otherwise in writing. (Civ. Code §§ 1950.6)

Receipts: A landlord is required to provide an itemized receipt when collecting an application screening fee. (Civ. Code §§ 1950.6)

For more information, visit:
California Landlord Tenant Laws
California Landlord Forms

 

FCRA-Compliant Tenant Screening

AAOA tenant screening background checks are processed in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Landlords must obtain written applicant authorization and follow applicable adverse action procedures when using consumer reports for rental decisions.

 

Order California Tenant Screening Background Checks

AAOA provides tenant screening background checks nationwide. If you need a tenant screening report outside California, visit our tenant background checks page to select another state. Order California tenant screening background checks today.

Protect your rental property with compliant California tenant screening.

Credit reports, eviction history, criminal searches and identity verification. FCRA-compliant tenant screening. Packages start at $19.99. Landlord or Tenant Pay options available.

Order California Screening Reports