Call Us: (386) 756-6100
Tenant Screening
Do you really know who your tenant is?
Our Tenant Screening:
-
Accurate
-
Fast
-
Confidential
-
Economical
We customize our screening to fit your needs!
Some of our services include:
-
Applicant Address History
-
Social Security Number Verification
-
Sex Offender & Sexual Predator Lists
-
Bankruptcy History
-
Moving Violation Records
-
Criminal History (Multi Jurisdictional Data)
-
Local Criminal History (Live searches)
-
Credit History With Score
-
Eviction Database
Our screening is Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant.
We will provide you with the necessary release forms for applicants to complete and any pre-adverse action, adverse action, and other related notices.
The Critical Importance of Tenant Screening
In the rental property industry, tenant selection represents one of the most consequential decisions property owners and managers face, with ramifications that can affect financial performance, property condition, and community stability for years. Comprehensive tenant screening serves as the first line of defense against rental income loss, property damage, legal disputes, and neighborhood disruption. Landlords who implement thorough screening protocols significantly reduce their exposure to non-payment, eviction costs, property destruction, and liability claims arising from problematic tenants. Beyond protecting the immediate financial investment, effective tenant screening helps maintain property values, preserve positive relationships with surrounding neighbors, and ensure compliance with fair housing laws and insurance requirements. The cost of proper screening pales in comparison to the expenses associated with eviction proceedings, property repairs, lost rent during vacancy periods, and potential litigation. In an era of sophisticated rental fraud schemes and increasingly complex tenant-landlord regulations, professional screening has transitioned from optional due diligence to an essential business practice that separates successful rental operations from those plagued by chronic problems.
Tenant Screening Forms
Once we have an account setup in our system, we only need the applicant release form to be sent to us or uploaded into our secure platform. This will allow our investigator to process the application and complete the background thoroughly and in a timely manner.
FCRA Compliance in Tenant Screening
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies equally to tenant screening as it does to employment decisions, establishing mandatory requirements that landlords and property managers must follow when obtaining and using consumer reports about prospective tenants. These obligations include providing clear written disclosure that a background check will be conducted, obtaining written authorization from applicants, furnishing adverse action notices when denying applications based on screening results, and maintaining proper documentation throughout the process. Property owners must also comply with state-specific landlord-tenant laws that may impose additional restrictions on what information can be considered, how far back criminal and eviction histories can be reviewed, and what application fees can be charged. The intersection of federal FCRA requirements, state fair housing laws, local ordinances, and recent “source of income” protection legislation creates a complex compliance landscape where missteps can result in discrimination lawsuits, regulatory penalties, and significant financial liability. Many landlords who conduct screening internally lack awareness of these evolving requirements, inadvertently exposing themselves to legal action even when operating with good intentions.
Comprehensive Protection and Professional Documentation
Engaging a private investigative agency for FCRA-compliant tenant screening provides property owners with comprehensive protection against both financial loss and legal liability. These professionals understand negligent tenant selection exposure—the risk that landlords face when inadequate screening results in tenants who pose dangers to other residents, commit crimes on the property, or create hazardous conditions. Private investigators can customize screening protocols based on property type, local market conditions, and specific landlord concerns, whether that involves enhanced criminal background checks for family-oriented communities, detailed eviction history searches, verification of pet ownership claims, or investigation of prior property damage complaints. Their detailed reports create documentation demonstrating that the landlord exercised reasonable care and applied consistent, non-discriminatory criteria in the tenant selection process—critical evidence in defending against fair housing complaints or discrimination allegations. Furthermore, private investigative agencies maintain current expertise regarding evolving regulations, emerging rental fraud schemes, identity theft tactics, and regional market trends, ensuring their clients benefit from continuously updated knowledge rather than relying on potentially outdated internal procedures. This professional partnership enables property owners to make informed, defensible leasing decisions while minimizing vacancy periods, protecting their investments, and maintaining peaceful, financially stable rental communities. The modest investment in professional screening delivers substantial returns through reduced evictions, lower turnover costs, decreased property damage, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing qualified, reliable tenants occupy your properties.
The Private Investigation Advantage in Tenant Screening
Professional private investigative agencies offer capabilities in tenant screening that far exceed standard online background check services and database searches. Licensed investigators employ comprehensive verification techniques to authenticate applicant information, uncover discrepancies, and identify fraud that automated systems frequently miss. They conduct thorough rental history verification by directly contacting previous landlords beyond just the references provided, uncovering patterns of lease violations, property damage, or disputes that applicants may attempt to conceal. Private investigators can identify professional “tenant scammers” who use stolen identities, fabricated employment records, or fraudulent pay stubs to secure housing they have no intention of paying for. Their expertise extends to verifying income sources through multiple channels, detecting falsified bank statements, uncovering undisclosed criminal records across multiple jurisdictions, and identifying individuals with histories of frivolous litigation against landlords. Unlike database-only services that may return incomplete or outdated information, private investigators conduct current, hands-on research that provides accurate, contextual intelligence about prospective tenants. This human element proves particularly valuable in evaluating complex situations—such as applicants with limited credit history, foreign nationals, self-employed individuals, or cases involving co-signers—where algorithmic assessments fall short.