Sample Background Check | Credit Check Example

If you've done your job right and gotten thorough information from your prospective tenant application (and consent form!!! Here's what I ask for on my tenant screening forms) you should have what you need to complete a renter credit check.
Click the thumbnail image to see what you could expect to get from a cursory (non-FCRA compliant) background check. While the information is extremely useful in terms of verifying much of the information the applicant has put down on their fact sheet you can't use it to deny credit or a renter agreement. On the other hand, it is cheaper and quicker - unlimited basic searches run about $10/yr while more detailed searches (like the example on the left) cost an additional MONTHLY fee of ~$20 (again tho' unlimited searches for that month). I suggest running a non-compliant check first... it's cheaper, faster, and has different information - in particular the safe/non-invasive cheapest / lowest level directory check is great for quickly checking the phone numbers of listed references - a HUGE time-saver.

An FCRA compliant landlord tenant credit check is slightly different from the Non-Compliant form. Here's an example credit background check report of just some of the information you would see on a premium renter credit check. You can see the second and third pages of the credit background check report also. Please be advised this is a premium report... while the Non-FCRA report service offers unlimited reports for about $10/year, this sample premium credit and background checks cost over $34 each. I always do an FCRA compliant background check prior to handing over the keys - just to cover my... well... you know.

I don't care what neighborhood your rental building is in. If you advertise space for rent, you're going to attract deadbeats looking for a place to squat for awhile. Spending $10/year on a screening service (to weed out the losers) and then $35/actual tenant on an FCRA compliant check is a heck of a lot cheaper than trying to evict just one deadbeat. Use a legal landlord tenant credit check service.