This Month's Feature: Our Tenant Search Package

Our 'Tenant Search Package' is a two fold benefit for you because it will save you money and time as well as help you do your 'due diligence' when you screen your potential tenants.

When it comes time to occupy your properties, it is your 'duty' to use the best available information to ensure that you do not select the wrong person as your new occupant. One thing is for sure, an additional month of vacancy waiting for the right occupant is MUCH less expensive than choosing the wrong occupant.

To take this necessary step all you need to do is go to www.FindTheSeller.com and order the 'Tenant Search Package'. In it you'll receive 4 important background checks for the price of 3. In addition, you only have to submit one order form. As far as the cost, why not just pass it on to your potential occupant in the form of an 'application fee'.

Let's review the reasons why you should always request the 'Tenant Search Package' on every potential occupant you consider. It's to your advantage to make this a part of the application process that you use when screening every potential occupant.

The 'Tenant Search Package' includes the following:

1. Skip Trace Search: The Skip Trace is used to verify the person's name(s) they are currently using and have used in the past. It is possible that an applicant uses an alias to cover up negative information. An AKA at the top of the skip trace report refers to different names due to marriage, maiden, divorce, nicknames, or possible legal name changes, or ficticious name changes. Sometimes a spouse will appear here as both names are reported on a bank loan with the same SSN. The AKA are names that are associated with the individual's SSN throughout the US.

   You should use the Skip Trace to verify previous addresses. The report will include date ranges at each previous address so you can verify what's in the application is accurate. Doing this can uncover dishonesty due to not disclosing all their information. There may be occasions when your applicant conveniently forgets to disclose a previous address that may be of interest to you. The Skip Trace will uncover it.

2. National Criminal Background Search: The National Criminal Background Search gives you a nationwide search of 42 states where more than 75% of the nation's population resides. This search includes over 79 million offense records from over 55 million offenders. Checking your applicant's criminal background in the current state is not enough. Your applicant could have convictions in other states that go undisclosed without this search. This is why a search of this scope is your best defense.

   Screening the criminal background of your applicants is very important when you rent and it's vitally important when you sell your house on terms. If you are holding a mortgage, using a lease option, AITD, land contract, or agreement for deed your tenant\buyer's criminal history is of paramount importance to you, the property owner. Obviously, you don't want to put criminals in your house if you can avoid it. In addition, you need to consider the liability you potentially face if the tenant\buyer you have 'chosen' commits a crime. The best defense is to show that you used the 'best available' means to check the applicant's background prior to approving a prospective occupant's application.

3. Wants & Warrants: The Wants and Warrants Criminal Search are different from the National Criminal Search. This information is available for all 50 US States. This search will check for records from International sources such as Interpol and others. It will check for Federal records such as Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, US Marshals, and others. It will check for State records such as Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole Boards, Attorney Generals and State Law Enforcement Departments. It will check for County records such as Municipal Courts, District Courts, Justices of the Peace, County Sheriffs, District Attorneys, and others. It will check for City records such as City Police, City Courts, and others.

   The types of warrants contained in this database range from misdemeanor warrants for bad checks, traffic violations, failures to appear, and unpaid fines; to felony warrants for parole or probation violations, robbery, rape, forgery, kidnapping and murder.

   Because warrants are issued and served on a continuous basis by literally thousands of individual agencies in all 50 states, the information is always changing and updating. Please keep in mind that a warrant may have been cleared by arrest or court appearance, been vacated or recalled or otherwise withdrawn, and new warrants may have been issued recently. Regardless of the reason for the update, you will want to be aware of any records such as these.

4. Tenant Screening: Lastly, the Tenant Screening Search will search national records for past court actions, prior Landlord inquiries, and most importantly Landlord reported history. You should keep in mind that not all 'Mom and Pop' Landlords report their information. Because of this, it is important to get the full 'Tenant Screening Package' including all 4 of these products so that you can do your 'best available' to select the right tenant and eliminate unnecessary costs and problems in your life.

   Remember that when you adopt a policy as part of your screening and approval process, you must do the same things, run the same background checks and searches, on EVERY applicant. Not to, may very well be considered a form of discrimination. All professional Investors and Property Managers charge an application fee to offset the cost of screening each applicant. You may wish to make this part of your policy as well.

So How Much Does This Cost? You get the Tenant Search Package including the 4 searches listed above for the price of 3. The normal price for the searches ordered individually would be $99.80 but as a package, is just $74.85. If you are a Bulk Plan Buyer, this will be 3 debits to your bulk plan rather than 4.

We also have the Platinum Bulk Plan with 100 searches and no expiration for $1497. This plan discounts your searches from $24.95 per search, to a low $14.97 per search.

You may wish to consider the Gold Bulk Plan with 50 searches and no expiration for $997. This plan discounts your searches from $24.95 per search, to a low $19.94 per search.

To help us better serve your needs, click below to take the Landlord Credit Report Survey.

Here's to your success!