How to Check References of Prospective Tenants for Your Rental Property

Instructions

• Require prospective tenants to complete written rental applications. Ask for credit histories, personal references, and names of employers and former landlords.
• Consider charging a rental application fee to cover the costs (such as long distance phone calls) of checking references.
• Verify employment status and bank information by contacting employers and financial institutions.
• Get recommendations on the character and trustworthiness of potential renters by contacting personal references.
• Contact former landlords to check on the payment records of tenants.
• Order credit reports from a major credit reporting company – such as Equifax or Trans Union – to verify credit history and learn about any evictions or convictions.
• Contact an agency that specializes in screening tenants – such as National Tenant Network – to receive reports on applicants’ tenant histories.