Tenant Screening Solutions

Tenant screening is a risk management process for landlords. The reports help the landlord manage financial risk by reviewing credit information, thereby making a determination that the prospect will be able to afford and make rent payments. The reports help the landlord exercise due diligence as to whether or not the prospect has a criminal record. Landlords reduce the likelihood of endangering themselves or their other tenants.

Tenant screening reports are Consumer Reports as defined by the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. They are compiled from a number of different private and public information repositories. They almost always include a consumer credit report, usually with a score. A variety of criminal and civil records can be searched in order to establish the prospect’s background. National and local criminal data bases, sex offender registries, official government watch lists and civil records relating to evictions supplement the credit information. Checking prior rental and employment references may also be included.

The use of credit reports is governed by the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. JB Tenant Screening provides the same credit report and scoring information generally used by mortgage lenders to evaluate their borrowers. Additional options are available to make the reports more usable and highlight prospective fraud.

Credit bureaus are understandably careful about with whom they share consumer credit information. Prior to receiving access to credit information, landlords must first establish the legitimacy of their corporate existence, that they have a permissible purpose under the law to obtain the information, and that their physical location is properly configured to safeguard the personal and private information that comes into their possession. For most landlords, this will require a physical inspection of their offices.

Landlords that don’t otherwise qualify for access to a complete credit report may use a Small Landlord Solution. This report provides a pass/fail grade against credit conditions pre-selected by the landlord. The landlord never receives the actual credit report but enjoys the benefit of knowing that their prospect meets or exceeds specific credit criteria.

The most common searches included in a tenant screening report include one or more of the following criminal and civil data base and public repositories:
• A proprietary national data base of criminal records
• The court indexes in the county and/or state of residence
• State and national Sex Offender Registries
• Government Watch Lists (i.e. OFAC)
• A proprietary national data base of civil eviction and landlord litigation
More thorough searching of local, state and national criminal and civil records are available and can be included in the report.

Tenant screening reports including only credit and national data base information can in most instances be provided instantly. Reports including more thorough criminal and civil searches in most instances are available within twenty-four to seventy-two hours after the necessary prospect’s information is received.

Payment Options Our on-line system supports payment by the landlord, by the prospect or a combination. Landlord fees can be billed monthly under certain conditions. Payments by prospects are collected on-line via major credit card during the Tenant Invite process.