Most landlords and property managers will require every tenant to have a background check before they approve application.

Background checks for tenants are standard if you are applying for a rental apartment. Whether it is long term or short-term agreement, almost all landlords will want to know if you’re trustworthy, financially stable, and free of a criminal past before agreeing to let you move in.

Background checks make many prospective tenants nervous, because very few people have spotless histories. You might be wondering what info is available to landlords or property managers when they run a background check on prospective tenants, and the answer to that will vary. The only way to put your mind at ease, is to be well prepared. To do so, you need to learn how a background check works and why it is essential.

The first thing that the landlord wants to know from the background check is about the prospective tenant’s rental history. The landlord wants to know the places you’ve lived before and how long you’ve stayed in those places. The report will also show how promptly you paid your monthly rent, whether or not you’ve ever had to pay a late fee, and whether or not you’ve ever been involved in an eviction procedure.

A spotless payment history can be proven in the background check, however, if there are few indiscretions, it may be forgiven by the landlord if you have a valid explanation. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, such as when a person may lose their job and cannot avoid delayed payments. Be prepared to provide good reasons for any red flags in your rental history. On the other hand, you may ask your previous landlord for a short letter stating you have paid all your debts in a reasonable amount of time and as promised.

Most landlords are also concerned with your ability to pay your monthly rent in full on the day that it’s due. For that reason, if the landlord knows your solid work history, that is a good way of passing a background check. Issue recent pay stubs or other authorized documents to prove your monthly net income. If you have been employed with the same company for an extended period, obtain employment certification from your HR manager, confirming your longevity in the position. Dedicated, long-term employment will show landlords that you’re dependable, which is a desirable trait in a prospective tenant.

A tenant’s criminal past is a part of the background check that factors heavily into the landlord’s screening procedures. Don’t worry if you have a few traffic violations committed (like unpaid parking violations) on your record. Landlords usually are more concerned with severe offenses like theft, assault, battery, fraud, driving under the influence of liquor, domestic violence, and anything else that indicates you might pose a potential threat to your fellow tenants and neighbors.

If you have a criminal record, get a copy of your records before you start apartment hunting. You may ask the court if it is possible to amend some of these records to reflect positive actions such as community service, counseling, or reduction of charges. Get ready to explain the details of your crime without making excuses for your misdemeanor. Make sure to show up as a reformed person who has genuinely learned from past mistakes.

Other than a criminal record, a credit check is also a part of the background check that can red flag your prospective landlord. Once more, landlords want assurance that you will fully pay your rent on time. Concerns will pop up if you’ve consistently been late paying your bills. Although a credit check is considered by many as the most crucial component of a background check, it’s can be very frustrating to deal with, as it contains only numbers, without any explanation of why your rating is so low. 

If the report has any errors, there’s a possibility that it could take weeks, or months, of phone calls and emails to get the errors resolved. Fortunately, there are a lot of consumer advocate companies out there that can help you remove old or incorrect information from your credit report.

A background check is essential to both landlords and tenants. For a tenant, knowing their shortcomings ahead of time allows the opportunity to focus and to resolve anything possible. For landlords, running a background check can assist in making the right decision to accept or refuse the prospective new tenant.