According to recent statistics, approximately 36% of households in the United States are renters.
With so many people looking for rental properties, as a landlord, you want to attract a good tenant. This means that you want someone who will pay on time and will take care of the property. But how do you know that the person signing your lease will do these two things?
That is why a Virginia tenant background check is critical.
Before you accept a renter for your property, you must run a tenant screening, and here is why.
1. Safety Precautionary Measure
This is one or more individuals that you are allowing to live on your property and welcome to your community. When you are renting to someone, as a landlord, it is your responsibility to choose someone who will not put others in harm’s way or at risk.
Tenant background checks help you identify anyone who may be risky by running a criminal background check. Now, just because something comes up on a criminal background, this is still not a valid reason to exclude someone from signing a lease. These situations are case-by-case.
You must examine what is on the criminal background and ask yourself if this poses a threat to other tenants you have, your property, or even you as the landlord. When you work with a professional Northern Virginia property management company, they are experts at spotting a person who poses risks and those who do not.
2. Liability Protection
Requiring a tenant screening in Virginia gives you valuable information that will set you up for a successful tenant/landlord relationship. Should you decide to skip the tenant screening process to save time and money, and something goes array, you are liable and could be sued for negligence.
Plus, you need a sound reason for accepting or denying someone when they apply as a tenant for your property. Discriminatory factors are against Fair Housing laws. This means that you cannot deny an applicant based on:
- Color
- Disability
- Familial status
- National origin
- Race
- Religion
- Sex
You can deny an applicant for something in their criminal history if you can prove that you came to your decision to preserve the property’s safety, and the community, too. You cannot use an applicant’s criminal history to cover up a decision you made that was discriminatory.
Because of a Northern Virginia tenant screening, it must be clear that the reason you are denying an applicant is that you find they are a reasonable risk. The criteria that you use must be the same for all applicants that you screen.
3. Reduce Tenant Turnover
You want to let your prospective tenants know that you have a rigorous process for tenant background checks. By making your criteria clear, it will attract tenants who feel they can meet your set standards.
Also, they can be more likely to stay with you longer and even renew their lease once the current time frame ends. If you do not have to search for a new tenant at the end of a lease, this will save you time and money.
Tenant Background Check
Heed the advice in this article and you will find a good tenant. Running a solid tenant background check will ensure that you find someone who will pay on time. Also, they should keep the property in good condition.
At HomeRiver Group, we are experts in Northern Virginia property management and tenant background checks. If you need help with your rental property, we can make sure you find the right renter and make life as a landlord tremendously easier. Contact us now for help.
