FAQ

FAQ

Do I need to be a member of AAOA to order a tenant screening report?

No, paid membership is not required to order tenant screening services. However, some AAOA membership types receive discounts on tenant screening packages along with other great benefits. Learn more about member benefits.

What information does a tenant credit check include?

AAOA offers many different screening reports including:

  • Credit Reports (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax)
  • Credit Scores (FICO, National Risk)
  • Criminal Records
  • Eviction History
  • Previous Address History
  • Social Security Number Verification
  • Sex Offender Search
  • Telecheck Verification (NSF check verifier)
  • Terrorist and Federal Crime Search

Can I order a tenant screening report at any time, day or night?

Yes, you can place your order 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tenant screening report results will be provided to you instantly – even if we’re fast asleep.

I need to run a tenant credit check now. Is this instant tenant screening?

Yes! Reports are returned to you immediately at checkout. The credit report and score is instantly returned when the tenant has verified their identity and agreed to release their information. If you’re underwritten you’ll receive the credit and score instantly at checkout, no tenant cooperation required.

What information do I need from the applicant to order a tenant screening report?

You can order all reports with the following information from your applicant: Full Name (first, middle, and last); Social Security Number; Date of Birth; Driver’s License; and their unique email address. The email address is not required if you complete the underwriting process.

Is accessing the credit report a hard or soft pull? Does it hurt the tenant’s credit score?

All reports on AAOA are a soft pull. This means there is no impact to the tenant’s credit score.

Is the tenant’s email address required to order a tenant credit report?

No. The tenant’s email address is not required if you complete the underwriting process. AAOA recommends the underwriting process if you own or manage more than 10 units. If you do not complete the underwriting processthe tenant’s unique email address is required to obtain a credit report and score. See “What is underwriting?” for more information.

What if the tenant does not have a Social Security Number?

You can order a tenant screening package but the credit report and SSN verifier will not be available. If you are underwritten, you may be able to obtain a credit report but the SSN verifier will still not be available. Additionally, without the SSN the eviction history may not be as comprehensive.

What if I entered incorrect information when ordering the tenant background report?

Do not order the report again. If you entered the wrong information by accident or the tenant provided incorrect information, please contact us. We may be able to avoid additional charges. Ordering the again will incur additional charges and no refund will be provided.

Do you verify the tenant’s employment history and/or prior rental history?

Yes! Any tenant screening report can be customized to include verification of employment or rental history. Additional fees may apply.

I need to run a report on a married couple, do I need to pay for each of them?

All tenant screening reports are priced per applicant. The price you see is a one-time charge for the report you order. Additional tenants, including spouses, would incur an additional fee.

Do I need to run a tenant screening report on every person applying to my rental?

Yes and no. You should be vetting every person who will be residing in your rental property. Checking a tenant’s credit, criminal, eviction, and other background information is key to protecting yourself. While a tenant background check is never required, it is strongly recommended.

Are your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion or Equifax?

We proudly offer credit reports by all three major credit bureaus. All accounts are set to receive a TransUnion report by default. However, if you become underwritten you will have the option of selecting an Experian, TransUnion and/or Equifax report.

What is underwriting?

Becoming underwritten is optional allows you to gain immediate access to credit reports for the permissible purpose of tenant screening. Once approved you would receive instant credit reports at checkout. The tenant’s email address would no longer be required.

The underwriting process takes as little as 3 business days and requires you, the rental owner/manager, to send in documentation and complete an onsite inspection. Documentation varies but generally requires a copy of your driver’s license, completed rental applications or leases for existing tenants, and a voided bank check. The onsite inspector will be specifically looking for a locked filing cabinet and a paper shredder.

The fee for underwriting varies from $0 to $79 depending on your AAOA membership. This is a one-time fee if you manage your rentals from a commercial location and a yearly fee if managed from a residential location.

To start the underwriting process simply log in to your account. The option for underwriting will then be found under the Tenant Screening menu.

Is this process secure? I don’t want to put myself or my applicant at risk.

Yes, absolutely! AAOA strictly adheres to all security measures as set forth by the credit bureaus and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We have Access Security Requirements in place and do not store any applicant data or credit cards on our local servers. Our website is COMODO Secure, PCI Compliant with Trustwave, Merchant Verified with Authorize.Net, has an A+ rating with the BBB, and public reviews of our service can be found via a 3rd party, Shopper Approved.