Tenant Screening Reports for Landlords

I am an individual owner/controlling partner of a small number (approximately 25 units or less) of rental units and hold title as an individual, fictitious business name, closely held corporation, family trust or LLC.

The rental unit must be separate living quarters with a physical address. If you still reside in the unit or property you are renting you will not pass the underwriting process. You can still obtain tenant credit checks and process screening reports with our tenant cooperation method. All members have tenant cooperation as the default method for screening.

All information below is required by the major credit bureaus in order to comply with federal guidelines.

• Onsite Physical Inspection. A 3rd party, approved by the major credit bureaus, inspects the location of where you manage your properties. The inspector looks to ensure your location is secure and you own a paper shredder.Properties managed from:
  • Residential locations have a yearly inspection fee.
  • Commercial locations have a one-time inspection fee.
  • If you move an additional inspection and fee will be required.
  • Inspection fees range fees range from $0 to $79 depending on your AAOA membership.
• Your Driver’s License
  • Please enlarge and copy in “photo or image mode” for a clearer image
• A voided check or bank deposit ticket where rent is deposited
  • The credit bureaus require this information as an added step of security to ensure you have a bank account to deposit rent.
• One (1) of the following items showing the owner’s name and dated within the last twelve (12) months:
  • A signed rental application or
  • A signed rental lease
• The name title is held in and the address of the property TenantAlert provides the ability to send the required documents by upload, email, mail, or fax. Instructions on how to send the required documents will be provided after ordering a report and clicking on the “Unlock Credit Report” button or during the registration process. FOR SMALL PRIVATE COMPANIES ONLY, in addition to the above please provide:
• A list of properties and one (1) of the following four (4) items showing your name, mailing address, and property address:
  • Business license status from government website or
  • Fictitious Business Name (DBA) filing with proof of filing or
  • State Tax Records originating from the State Government or
  • Federal Tax Records originating from the Federal Government

Please allow 1 to 3 business days for your account to be approved. Once approved, credit access is immediate and full credit reports are provided within seconds of placing your tenant screening package order. Any missing information will delay the underwriting process.

I am an owner/managing employee of one or more large apartment complexes, or an officer of a corporation owning one or more large apartment complexes.

The rental unit must be separate living quarters with a physical address. If you still reside in the unit or property you are renting you will not pass the underwriting process. You can still obtain credit checks and process screening reports with our tenant cooperation method. All members have tenant cooperation as the default method for tenant screening

All information below is required by the major credit bureaus in order to comply with federal guidelines.

• Onsite Physical Inspection. A 3rd party, approved by the major credit bureaus, inspects the location of where you manage your properties. The inspector looks to ensure your location is secure and you own a paper shredder.Properties managed from:
  • Residential locations have a yearly inspection fee.
  • Commercial locations have a one-time inspection fee.
  • If you move an additional inspection and fee will be required.
  • Inspection fees range fees range from $0 to $79 depending on your AAOA membership.
• Your Driver’s License
  • Please enlarge and copy in “photo or image mode” for a clearer image
• A voided check or bank deposit ticket where rent is deposited
  • The credit bureaus require this information as an added step of security to ensure you have a bank account to deposit rent.
• At least one (1) of the following four (4) items showing your name, mailing address, and property address:
  • Business license status from government website or
  • Fictitious Business Name (DBA) filing with proof of filing or
  • State Tax Records originating from the State Government or
  • Federal Tax Records originating from the Federal Government
• Three (3) signed rental applications [existing tenants or new applicants that include:
  • Name
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Current Address
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Signature (clearly authorizing you to obtain a credit report)
  • and the Address of the rental property
• A complete list of all rental properties including the property name and address

Please allow 1 to 3 business days for your account to be approved. Once approved, credit access is immediate and full credit reports are provided within seconds of placing your tenant screening package order. Any missing information will delay the underwriting process.

I am an officer or managing employee of a fee based Property Management Company.

The rental unit must be separate living quarters with a physical address. If you still reside in the unit or property you are renting you will not pass the underwriting process. You can still obtain credit checks and process screening reports with our tenant cooperation method. All members have tenant cooperation as the default method for tenant screening.

All information below is required by the major credit bureaus in order to comply with federal guidelines.

• Onsite Physical Inspection. A 3rd party, approved by the major credit bureaus, inspects the location of where you manage your properties. The inspector looks to ensure your location is secure and you own a paper shredder.Properties managed from:
  • Residential locations have a yearly inspection fee.
  • Commercial locations have a one-time inspection fee.
  • If you move an additional inspection and fee will be required.
  • Inspection fees range fees range from $0 to $79 depending on your AAOA membership.
• Your Driver’s License
  • Please enlarge and copy in “photo or image mode” for a clearer image
• A voided check or bank deposit ticket where rent is deposited
  • The credit bureaus require this information as an added step of security to ensure you have a bank account to deposit rent.
• At least one (1) of the following four (4) items showing your name, mailing address, and property address:
  • Business license status from government website or
  • Fictitious Business Name (DBA) filing with proof of filing or
  • State Tax Records originating from the State Government or
  • Federal Tax Records originating from the Federal Government
• At least one (1) of the following two (2) items:
  • Contract between Property Management Company and a property owner for whom you manage or
  • A blank contract and an existing client reference including a contact name, phone, and length of relationship with your Property Management Company
• A complete list of all rental properties including the property name and address

Please allow 1 to 3 business days for your account to be approved. Once approved, credit access is immediate and full credit reports are provided within seconds of placing your tenant screening package order. Any missing information will delay the underwriting process.

I am an officer or managing employee of a fee based Property Management Company.

The rental unit must be separate living quarters with a physical address. If you still reside in the unit or property you are renting you will not pass the underwriting process. You can still obtain credit checks and process screening reports with our tenant cooperation method. All members have tenant cooperation as the default method for tenant screening.

All information below is required by the major credit bureaus in order to comply with federal guidelines.

• Onsite Physical Inspection. A 3rd party, approved by the major credit bureaus, inspects the location of where you manage your properties. The inspector looks to ensure your location is secure and you own a paper shredder.Properties managed from:
  • Residential locations have a yearly inspection fee.
  • Commercial locations have a one-time inspection fee.
  • If you move an additional inspection and fee will be required.
  • Inspection fees range fees range from $0 to $79 depending on your AAOA membership.
• Your Driver’s License
  • Please enlarge and copy in “photo or image mode” for a clearer image
• A voided check or bank deposit ticket where rent is deposited
  • The credit bureaus require this information as an added step of security to ensure you have a bank account to deposit rent.
• At least one(1) of the following three (3) items showing your name, mailing address, and property address:
  • Landlord/Tenant Court with proof of filing (judgment) or
  • Proof of Membership in a local/regional/national Apartment Association or
  • At least 3 signed rental applications (existing tenants or new applicants) that includes
    • Name
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Current Address
    • Date of Birth (DOB)
    • Signature (clearly authorizing you to obtain a credit report
    • and the Address of the rental property
• At least one (1) of the following five (5) itemsshowing your name, mailing address, and property address:
  • Name
  • Business license status from a government website
  • Business license, copy or documented verification with issuing authority
  • Documented corporation verification with state or federal government
  • Articles of Incorporation with proof of filing
  • State/Federal Tax Records originating from the State/Federal Government

FOR INDEPENDENT REAL ESTATE AGENTS CONTRACTRATED WITH A REAL ESTATE FIRM, in addition to the above, please provide one (1) of the following:

• Real Estate Broker’s License status from government website or
• Real Estate Broker’s License, copy or documented verification with issuing authority

Please allow 1 to 3 business days for your account to be approved. Once approved, credit access is immediate and full credit reports are provided within seconds of placing your tenant screening package order. Any missing information will delay the underwriting process.

The most important benefit of conducting a rental screening is to make the best decision. A comprehensive tenant screening report tells you everything you need to know about the character and fiscal responsibility of a potential renter.

Chasing tenants for nonpayment and evicting them can take months, with significant legal costs involved — and that’s before repairing any damage that may have been caused to the property. These tenants put a tremendous financial strain on landlords. A simple tenant background check is an investment well worth making.

Retaining the documentation from a rigorous tenant verification report protects you in case someone decides to sue you for alleged discrimination.

These reports demonstrate that you have followed all the laws of your state and did not breach a potential renter’s rights when making your decision.

In this respect, the point of a tenant screening report is to demonstrate that you took all reasonable steps during the application process.

Under Fair Housing Laws, landlords cannot reject a renter based on the fact they have a criminal history alone. On the other hand, they can use a criminal background check to make an informed decision.

For example, if someone has recently committed a child sex crime and your home is located two blocks away from an elementary school, you would be able to reject a candidate on this basis.

Landlords must preserve the safety and well-being of other tenants, their neighbors and their communities when renting out their properties.