Background check question

In addition to being a tenant, I'm also the onsite property manager (the owner lives down in San Diego) so I have to deal with getting other renters.  I've got a new one coming in tomorrow and will need to do a routine background check (we're not allowing any more axe murderers - there's no place left in the yard to bury the bodies).
 
Anyway, have any of you had to run background checks before and could recommend a service?  There's a bunch of different sites out there that do this type of thing and I'm trying to decide which to use.
 
Thanks!

Beagle


but it's one of the "big three" .

I thought it was the Big 4, no? Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax... 

Beagle


the last background check done on me was by the FBI. 


my wife works for a company who I shall leave nameless in the public forum...but it's one of the "big three"  - I think her company does that sort of thing.  I can ask.

Sure, if you wouldn't mind.  You can PM me the name if you want (I may have to archive some NagBap notifications first though... ;-)
 
 

rsp@odyssey.net


You are talking about a "credit check" I gather. Experian, Transunion and Equifax are the big 3. You need written authorization from the prospective tenant, and then you are allowed to see their credit report. The property owner should be opening the account to do this. It'll then cost around $3.00 per report. Randy

No, I'm talking about the type of background check that will tell you if someone has a criminal record (though most provide additional information).  We're month to month here (pay in advance) which means you get a three-day notice to vacate if you don't pay so credit isn't an issue.

rsp@odyssey.net


Ah, I see. I'd contact the local Police for advice then. Or in your case, have someone call for you. Just sayin....

Yeah, they know me as inmate 655321.

We came very close to having a very cute (and smart) Asian keyboard player...

Ironically, she felt she would be disturbing a nurse who was about to move in who works graveyard and sleeps during the day.  Then the nurse had second thoughts (due to the same issue) but, by that time, the other girl had already found another place.

So now we're going from possibly having a nice (and did I mention very cute?) IT professional musician to Victor from the Mail Room...  *Sigh*

FWIW - I talked with a couple of friends that do some landlording and their recommendation was e-renter.com.  It's much better than the shady websites you see in all those ads and it won't let you get your report results until they receive a scan of a consent letter (something that's a law in Washington as of June).

Of course, par for the course, I didn't end up having to use it because Victor never returned to sign the rental agreement and pay his first month's rent.  Oh well, it still leaves the option open for a couple of cute, female flight attendants to take the rooms, ya?

My housemate and her brother own a house and rent it out. I asked her who they used to check out potential renters.
She said they just liked the people and rented it to them.
It's been 3 years now, no problems.
But they could have the meth lab well-hidden.

Old55


Craig, how did the owner of the house check you out?  Wouldn't--or shouldn't--he be telling you what those requirements are and how to find them?  

It involved rubber gloves and mayo...  I'd really rather not talk about it...
 
(Real answer:  He didn't.  He relied on the prior manager's opinion then came up here and met with me for a couple of days.)

The states now have a number of registry's that are online and searchable.  

In my business (security sales and installations) I am required to provide a criminal records search for myself  when I renew my license and any employees as well. 

I go to my local courthouse and pay $5 and they search the records and give me a print out.  

In the application to rent, the person should list the past 2 or 3 residences..... simply contact the local courthouse in that town and check the records there. 

There are also sex offenders registry listings available. It would certainly be wise to check that as well. You don't want Chester the Molester living next door to a single mom with a couple of kids.  They are required/supposed to register in any new jurisdiction BUT..... they often don't.  

A guy who runs a small home improvement/repair/handyman service in this town..... lives 2 doors down from me, has lived here for 5 years or so, has worked in my house and on my other properties doing painting and repair, was just arrested 2 months ago..... failure to register as a sex offender. No one knew, but the state eventually tracked and found him and arrested him. The damage this guy could have done, had he been active would be catastrophic to the folks and the kids here. 

check the online state and county registries.