You’ve found a seemingly perfect tenant. They’re polite and punctual, and their references are glowing.
But there’s one crucial step left – checking for evictions. Skipping this step can lead to significant headaches down the road.
Checking for evictions helps ensure your property remains in good hands, safeguarding your investment and maintaining a smooth landlord-tenant relationship.
Eviction records provide insights into a tenant’s rental history, revealing potential red flags like late payments or property damage.
This guide will walk you through the eviction check process, ensuring you cover all bases, from using online notary services to verifying court records.
Let’s dive in and make sure you’re making informed decisions with every rental agreement, using tools like title and escrow services and online notarized affidavits to enhance your process.
Types of Eviction Records
Understanding the different types of eviction records is crucial in conducting a thorough tenant screening.
These records come from various sources and offer different levels of detail about a tenant’s rental history.
Credit Records
Credit records often include eviction information as part of a tenant’s financial history. 
When landlords or property managers pull a credit report, they can see if an eviction has been recorded.
These records provide a comprehensive view of the tenant’s financial behavior, including unpaid debts and judgments.
Credit reporting agencies like Experian and TransUnion offer detailed reports that can highlight past evictions.
Court Records
Court records are another critical source of eviction information.
These records are publicly accessible and provide detailed accounts of eviction proceedings.
They include the case number, court date, and the outcome of the eviction case.
Landlords can access these records through local courthouses or online databases maintained by the court system.
Court records offer a detailed look at the circumstances surrounding an eviction, such as the reasons for eviction and any settlements reached.
Legal document notary services can help verify the authenticity of these court records, ensuring you obtain accurate information.
Combining Sources for Comprehensive Checks
Using both credit and court records provides a more comprehensive view of a tenant’s eviction history.
Credit records give a broad financial overview, while court records offer detailed insights into specific eviction cases.
This dual approach helps landlords make informed decisions and reduces the risk of renting to unreliable tenants.
Additionally, integrating services like title and escrow can further enhance the reliability of the screening process.
Title insurance ensures that property transactions are legitimate and free from disputes, adding another layer of security to the eviction check process.
What Does an Eviction Report Include?
An eviction report provides detailed information about a tenant’s rental history.
It includes the date of eviction, the reason for eviction, and the outcome of the case. Additionally, it may list the property address and the court where the eviction was filed.
These reports are essential for landlords to assess the reliability of potential tenants.
How Can You Check for Evictions?
Step 1: Gather Applicant Information
To check for evictions, start by collecting the necessary information from your applicant.
This includes their full name, date of birth, and social security number. These details are crucial for accurate results.
Make sure you also obtain their previous rental history. You may need to verify this with an online notary.
Step 2: Use an Eviction Database
Several online services offer access to eviction records. Websites like Tenant Background Search and Rent Prep provide comprehensive reports.
These services often require a fee, but they deliver detailed eviction histories.
Utilize an online signature generator to obtain digital consent from your tenant before conducting these checks.
Step 3: Check Court Records
Eviction cases are public records. Visit your local courthouse or their website to search for eviction filings. Many court systems have online databases where you can search by name. This step ensures you catch any evictions that might not be in private databases.
Step 4: Verify Through Previous Landlords
Contacting previous landlords can provide firsthand information about a tenant’s history.
Ask about any evictions, late payments, or other rental issues. Previous landlords can offer insights that databases might miss.
Step 5: Use Credit Reports
A tenant’s credit report often includes eviction information. Services like Experian and TransUnion offer tenant screening reports.
These reports provide a comprehensive view of a tenant’s financial history. Ensure your process complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Understanding Eviction Search Results
Interpreting eviction search results requires careful attention to detail. Ensure you verify the information through multiple sources.
Look for patterns in the tenant’s history that might indicate reliability issues. Use notarial certificates to confirm the authenticity of legal documents.
Title insurance can provide additional assurance by verifying the legitimacy of property transactions.
Streamline Your Tenant Screening with BlueNotary
Checking for evictions is a crucial step in the tenant screening process. By following these steps, you can ensure thorough and accurate checks.
This protects your property and investment, helping you make informed decisions. Always use trusted services and maintain legal compliance throughout the process.
Whether you’re a landlord or property manager, taking these steps can help you find reliable tenants.
Using services like online notaries and title insurance can enhance the thoroughness and reliability of your checks.
As a leading online notarization platform, BlueNotary offers comprehensive services to verify eviction records and other essential documents.
You can easily search and find a ‘notary near me’, ensuring all legal documents are authenticated swiftly and securely.
Visit BlueNotary today to learn more and get started!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Check For Evictions
Q1: How long does an eviction stay on a tenant’s record?
An eviction can stay on a tenant’s record for up to seven years, affecting their ability to rent new properties.
Q2: Can a tenant dispute an eviction record?
Yes, tenants can dispute eviction records if they believe there is an error. They must provide evidence to support their claim.
Q3: What is an online notarized affidavit?
An online notarized affidavit is a legal document verified by an online notary, adding an extra layer of trust to tenant information.
Q4: How do I use title and escrow services in tenant screening?
Title and escrow services can help verify the ownership of previous rental properties and ensure the legitimacy of transactions.
Q5: What should I do if I find an eviction on a tenant’s record?
If you find an eviction on a tenant’s record, assess the circumstances and consider their overall rental history before making a decision.
