Article: You can obtain sample rental applications online or from your local real estate association. The application will furnish you with all the necessary information to conduct a background check and assess whether the applicant would be a good tenant. The rental application should ask for:  the applicant’s full name, social security number, date of birth, contact information, and driver’s license number and state of issue (also, make a copy of license). current and previous addresses, dates of residence, contact information for current and former landlords. current income, dates of current and past employment, the names and contact information of current and former employers. banking and credit references for a credit check. contact information for three personal references. Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires landlords to ask permission to perform a credit check. In order to comply with the FCRA, you must have a completed credit report authorization form before obtaining an applicant’s credit report.  If a potential tenant refuses to sign a credit report authorization form and allow for a credit check, you can deny him or her the ability to rent the property. This is someone that you could interact with frequently, from paying the rent to addressing maintenance concerns, and you want to make sure they are friendly and respectful and that you are comfortable with them as a tenant. During the interview ask of potential tenants:  Why are they moving? Do they have any pets and are they housebroken? Do they smoke? Indoors or outside? Who else will be living with them now or in the future? Do they have any friends or relatives who frequently spend the night? What is their typical work day like? Do they work nights? Can they pay the first month’s rent and security deposit before moving in?
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Require potential tenants to complete a rental application. Request potential tenants complete a credit report authorization form. Interview the applicant in person.