Tenant Screening and Rental Agreement

Landlords need to be cautious when screening tenants to avoid getting a bad tenant. Good tenants save landlords money because they pay their rent on time and abide by the rules. Bad tenants cost you money in eviction fees and lost rents.

To avoid landlord/tenant problems, landlords should perform background checks, including a criminal background check, social security verification and credit checks on prospective tenants to determine the character of the person and to find out if they have any eviction records as well.

Rental Screening Process

Even if your tenant completes an online application, you still need to verify their identity. Be sure to get a copy of their driver’s license and have them sign a credit history release form so you can get a copy of their credit report. You should verify the tenant’s employment, bank account and other references, especially previous landlords.  There is a lot of identity theft these days so verify as much information as possible.  

Rental Agreement

Once you find a tenant, you and your tenant should sign a written rental agreement. Leases for less than one year can be verbal, but it is not recommended to do a verbal lease especially if you have to go to court.

The agreement should contain:

• Rental term
• Rental amount
• Amount of security deposits
• Landlord’s responsibilities
• Tenant’s responsibilities
• Late payment penalties and eviction notices
• Any other terms
• Methods of dispute resolution
• Attorney’s fees    

Consult with a Real Estate Attorney

It is recommended that you consult with a real estate attorney regarding local and state landlord/ tenant laws.  A real estate attorney can also represent you in connection with landlord/tenant disputes.