Take a guess at how many American adults have criminal records. You might think one in 20, but the answer is closer to one in three.
It's not just an issue for the police, it's a problem for landlords, too. The absolute last thing you want is to risk tenant safety measures because someone living in your property is dangerous, untrustworthy, or violent. So unless you are an expert at reading minds, how do you tell the bad apples from the good?
You need a tenant criminal background check. Here is your guide on how to conduct one in Denver, CO.
Get Consent for a Tenant Criminal Background Check
The first and most important thing is to get consent for a tenant criminal background check. Written permission is a requirement for background checks in just about every area of society, like with job applications. As such, have applicants sign a consent form with the following information:
- What information you need
- What you're checking for
- How long the check will take
The key here is full disclosure and communication. 99% of issues with tenant background screening come from landlords leaving tenants out of the loop. Give them a call, if necessary, to clear up any doubts they may have.
Charge for the Check in the Application Fee
After considering hundreds of potential tenants, the financial toll it takes on your accounting records can be significant. If you are already charging an application fee, then consider bundling in a small background check fee. That way, you recoup the cost during the rental screening process.
Be very clear that you are charging for background checks should you choose to do so. Just as before, most misunderstandings come from a lack of transparency.
Avoid Discrimination
It can be tempting to only do background checks on people that look like criminals. Criminal history verification is fine, but discriminating is not. The key here is to apply a universal by checking everyone.
Failure to do so could land you in hot water with a discrimination lawsuit. Tenant applicants who feel you have singled them out will have a field day in court suing you. Avoid that now by making this a baseline requirement for all applicants.
Hire Property Management
Things can rapidly become overwhelming when you've got a full plate of landlord duties. Consider making things easier on yourself by hiring property management.
Property managers handle all the tedious, clerical stuff on your behalf. They don't just conduct background checks, they can also collect rent, schedule maintenance, and much more. Then you can spend your precious time doing the things that matter.
Join PMI Aspire in Denver
A tenant criminal background check is a must, but so is doing it right. Make sure you are asking for consent in writing, and avoid discriminating against specific applicants. If it all becomes too much, you might hire property management to lighten the load.
PMI Aspire in Denver serves you with unparalleled property management expertise. Don't just take our word, read our testimonials praising our professional, timely, and knowledgeable help in all capacities. Become a happy future testimonial writer yourself with our free rental analysis.
