I am looking to rent out my apartment. I have an applicant in mind, and I wish to obtain his credit report?

Question

What do I do? I only need, and I do not wish to sign up for an account with anybody.

Answer 1

You are legally able to pull his credit report only with his consent.  Contact Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax to do this.  They have the forms available on their websites.  It will cost you a small fee, between $8 and $25, depending on the amount of information you request, and whether or not you request a score.

Caution:  If you pull it for this applicant, you should pull it for all applicants, otherwise you open yourself up for a discrimination suit - especially if you deny a tenant based on anything found in the report.  Most state government websites have information on the Fair Housing Act and other laws - be familiar with your states landlord-tenant rights.

I have always found it easier to just ask for references rather than checking credit.  Simply stating in your rental ad that references are required will scare away some bad tenants.

Answer 2

I agree with answer number two.    You need to be careful, and I feel the best thing to do is to ask for referance from past landlords, and have them to bring you a certified criminal record, asking for a credit report is a little much.   I know housing authorities do credit checks, but they are goverment funded and they look for assets owned like real estate, and to see if you have any judgements owed to another housing agency.   which they will house you if you payoff bad debt, and your criminal record is clean, this includes s*x offenders too.  If they are from another state or county I would ask for that criminal record also.    this is more important in my opinion than credit report.

good thing to do is:

job information-how long employed.  

landlord referances.

criminal check from all states or county lived in past three years.

if you decided to go with this person, be sure to sign some type of lease agreement and be careful to the do's and don'ts in your lease, example, repairs, rent amount due, date due, pets, etc.

Answer 3

As an individual you do not have access to his credit report.

Contact a real estate management company that has the ability to thoroughly screen any potential tenants.  

Answer 4

If this is an apt. you own, look in the Yellow Pages for a local firm that provides rental reports.  They will give you an application for the person to fill in and sign.  Collect a check for the proper amount and send both ap and ck to the firm.  This will give you credit, employment, police and prior tenancy information.

If you are subletting an apt. you lease, be sure you have the right to sublet before proceeding.