Rental Background Checks

[bigdog]

In the future I'm planning to rent my townhouse, as I'll be purchasing a home in the lakes region.

I want to take some measures (best I can), to filter out possible renters.

Looking for websites that I can use to perform background and credit checks on potential renters.

Thanks !

[JasonG]

perhaps use a rental company? They can get the word out there better and may already screen?

[upthesaukee]

In the future I'm planning to rent my townhouse, as I'll be purchasing a home in the lakes region.

I want to take some measures (best I can), to filter out possible renters.

Looking for websites that I can use to perform background and credit checks on potential renters.

Thanks !

Using a property management company can eliminate those phone calls in the middle of the night saying "I have no heat", "the faucet is dripping", "the sidewalk needs to be shoveled." ...

A well priced rent with a reputable property management company can make it a good investment.

I'm guessing we have landlords on this Forum who can give you input on property management companies.

Good luck. :)

[garysanfran]

A short term rental doesn't require much of a background check because the finances are usually settled before occupancy.

A long term rental, several months+, requires a background check for two things...The financial ability to pay rent and any signs of behavioral problems that can be uncovered. A credit report will uncover most financial concerns, but not most behavioral concerns, like prior evictions. Evictions only show up on a credit report if there was a money judgement, and it may take a long time after the judgement for it to show on a credit report. Evictions become public record at the time the complaint is filed and are gathered by some "tenant screening" companies. Last I knew, the best in the area is National Tenant Network in Tewksbury, MA.

[gokart-mozart]

In the future I'm planning to rent my townhouse, as I'll be purchasing a home in the lakes region.

I want to take some measures (best I can), to filter out possible renters.

Looking for websites that I can use to perform background and credit checks on potential renters.

Thanks !
You should look at this Federal guide before you decide to become a landlord. There are very strict civil rights and anti-discrimination laws that limit your ability to screen to your comfort level, but there are also lots of things you CAN do that you may not have thought of.

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/148656.pdf

[bigdog]

I have seen landlords advertise as 'Accepting applications' !

In that manner it's at the discretion of the landlord who he rents to...

I'm sure rental applicants have challenged that approach !

I do see the concern for the landlord to do one's due diligence !

[gokart-mozart]

I have seen landlords advertise as 'Accepting applications' !

In that manner it's at the discretion of the landlord who he rents to...

I'm sure rental applicants have challenged that approach !

I do see the concern for the landlord to do one's due diligence !

Unfortunately, it's not simple at all. This is language from the manual I linked to above:

Applicant Screening, Civil Rights, and
Fair Housing
Landlords are sometimes confused about their rights in turning down
applicants. A few landlords even believe that civil rights laws require
them to accept virtually any applicant; this is not the case. Civil rights
laws are designed to protect the way applicants are screened and to
make sure that all qualified applicants feel equally invited to apply. Federal
fair housing guidelines prohibit discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, national origin, or familial status (presence of
children). Many state and local governments add other categories—
marital status, sexual orientation, source of income, or participation in a
government subsidy program are common examples. The purpose of
these laws is to prevent discrimination based on protected class criteria.
Nothing in the fair housing laws forbids you from setting fair screening
guidelines and applying them equally to all applicants.

Keep in mind that every person belongs to these protected classes—each
of us can be defined in terms of our race, color, religion, sex, and national
origin, for example. So any time you deny an applicant, you have,
in a sense, denied someone who belongs to a protected class. The question
is whether or not you treat applicants or tenants unfairly because of
the class to which they belong. If the criteria you set are blind to class
issues and you apply them consistently, then you may turn down applicants
who do not meet your criteria.

The key lies in making sure your screening process is fair—that it neither
directly nor indirectly discriminates on the basis of one of the federally
defined protected classes or other classes that may also be protected
in your community

Of course, the determination that you were "fair" is a retrospective one and will be made by people who are, for the most part, pro-tenant.

[Ellie]

In NH you can find a request form for a background check on the state police website. I believe it costs $25. I have a copy I can send to you if you private message me.

[TiltonBB]

I have had rental properties since 1978 and it has been more difficult to find good tenants in recent years because, in my opinion, the quality of tenants has declined and the court system has become more forgiving.

It is also very difficult, especially in NH, to collect on court judgements. I have one judgement for over $8,000 and the woman was ordered to pay $20 per month. In the last two years she has paid a total of $80 and each time we go back to court for a contempt hearing the judge says his hands are tied. The woman has now moved to California and claims she is not working.

The laws favor the tenants and make it very difficult to evict someone. Just the eviction process takes 3 to 4 months and you have very little chance of recovering any back rent or court fees.

The first step to improve the process would be laws and judges that hold people accountable for their actions.

[tis]

Oh, Tilton, do I ever know the feeling! We don't have tenants, but collecting money in general. I gave up on the courts.

[longislander]

I've got a rental condo in Concord and have had some court action, as a landlord, regarding renters. Attention should be paid, whether there are lease agreements, and to the verbiage therein.

Some useful NH court info can be found at this NH Judicial site, for both landlord and tenant.

http://www.courts.state.nh.us/district/landlord.htm

References can be difficult to ascertain, especially when provided by the party interested in getting approval.