According to Spectrumnews1.com, Los Angeles County, which includes Covina, CA, had over 46,000 eviction filings in 2023. Many were due to non-payment of rent, but evictions can also result from breaches of lease agreements and tenant criminal activities.
As a Covina landlord, you don't want any of that, not only because evictions are costly and stressful but because you don't want to put your property, other tenants, and neighbors in harm's way. So, always run a tenant background check on all applicants.
PMI San Bernardino has put together this guide on tenant screening methods and background check tips, so read on.
1. Know What to Look For
The goal of a comprehensive tenant background check is to find high-quality tenants who are most likely to:
- Afford the rental rate you charge, which an income and employment check can confirm
- Pay rent on time, which a good credit score and a clean credit report can indicate
- Be responsible and adhere to the lease, qualities a rental and eviction history assessment can reveal
- Possess good moral character, which a criminal conviction history check can give insights to
Because each process reveals different types of information, please don't skip any of them. While it will be time-consuming, it's better to be safe than sorry. Alternatively, you can outsource the tasks to reliable tenant placement services.
2. Implement a Fair Tenant Background Check Process
If you decide to conduct a DIY rental applicant screening process, ensure it complies with fair housing laws. Otherwise, you could be in legal trouble and face severe penalties.
One of the laws you must adhere to is California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). According to the state's Civil Rights Department, FEHA prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants because of their:
- Gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation
- Race and national origin
- Religion
Implementing a fair and consistent screening and lease application process is one way to ensure compliance with the law. For instance, if you perform all the checks on one applicant, you must do the same with the rest.
3. Hire a Property Manager
The most straightforward way to perform legally compliant tenant background checks is to partner with a professional property manager. For example, here at PMI San Bernardino, we offer comprehensive tenant screening and placement services. They're part of our full-service property management solutions, which also cover:
- Marketing
- Tenant coordination and management
- Rent collection
- Lease enforcement
- Property inspections, maintenance, and repairs
- Accounting and financial reporting
So, if you want to enjoy a landlord's income without doing all the hard work, consider hiring our team of property management experts.
Let PMI San Bernardino Find You High-Quality Tenants
Since a comprehensive tenant background check enables you to gauge the viability and qualifications of applicants, it can also help you prevent evictions. However, it can be time-consuming and full of legal complexities, so it's best to let the pros handle it.
Let PMI San Bernardino be your go-to for tenant screening and full-service property management in Covina, CA. Our head property manager, John Santana, has been in the real estate industry since 2008. Our owner, Kevin Crawford, is a licensed California broker and a highly esteemed NARPM, CAI, and VRMA member.
Talk to us today so we can get started with your complimentary rental analysis!
