3 Reasons Why Landlords Should Conduct Tenant Background Checks

Background checks have always been the best and easiest way to secure great tenants, and today, it is more important than ever to protect your property and the people residing there. If you are a landlord, here are the top three reasons why you should take this vital step, with help from American Tenant Screen, Inc. Our Tenant Screening Services can help ensure you find safe, qualified, and responsible tenants that will help maintain your bottom line, and your investment.

Reason #1: Registered Sex Offenders

There are about 331,000,000 people in the United States and approximately 750,000 are registered sex offenders.  It’s a staggering statistic, and there is a good chance that potential renter you just met could be one of them. Cities and municipalities bar offenders from living near schools and parks, and landlords need to take notice. Our Multi-State Criminal Report includes the Nationwide Sex Offender Registry and helps to provide peace of mind for both you and your most vulnerable residents.

Reason #2: Fair Housing Act Discrimination Claims

Whether you own a single property or thousands, screening your tenants consistently will help you avoid Fair Housing Act discrimination claims. “The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities,” per The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Screening all your tenants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin, is not only a fair and impartial practice, but it also helps protect you from unfounded legal accusations.

Reason #3: Your Income and Investment

Every landlord wants responsible tenants that will take good care of their home and pay their rent and utilities on time. Background checks give landlords valuable information on an applicant’s credit history, any criminal charges, and prior rental records, including evictions. This helps avoid possible problem situations and allows landlords to make informed decisions before handing over the keys. Income and employment verification, and other screening services, can give added protection, knowing your income will be steady and your investment will be secure.


Who are you hiring? Since 1988, Verify Protect has been a leading provider of secure, digital employment screening services for companies looking to reduce the growing liabilities of negligent hiring and poor retention rates. Headquartered in Media, Pennsylvania, we help both small and large companies across the nation to secure top talent and make solid hiring decisions by delivering advanced technology and accurate data reinforced by excellent customer service. Visit www.verifyprotect.com today to learn more!

Kristina Taylor
In 1989, Kristina began her career as a customer service representative at the newly formed American Tenant Screen, Inc. Ten years later, she pioneered tenant background screening on the Internet. As a long-standing member of the National Multifamily Resident Information Council (formerly the National Association of Screening Agencies) Kristina gains insight into the trends of the tenant screening industry to better understand the current and future needs of their clients.

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