With its thriving job market, majestic natural wonders, and quality living, there's a lot to love about Reno, NV. Moreover, rental prices here are lower than the national average and only hover around $1,500.
With those qualities, it's not surprising that Reno attracts many renters. That's great news if you're a new landlord looking for tenants.
However, while you want to find renters quickly, you must always conduct a tenant background check. After all, it's your ticket to finding qualified, trustworthy tenants.
If you're unsure how to conduct one, don't worry. This guide discusses rental screening steps and shares landlord-tenant tips, so read on.
1. Understand Renter Background Screening Laws
One of the laws surrounding the tenant background check process is the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). Under this law, landlords can't reject tenants based on their:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Family status
- Disability
- Sex
Landlords who fail to comply with those rules can face civil penalties of $23,011 to $115,054.
So, before screening tenants, please ensure you've familiarized yourself with those laws.
2. Confirm Tenant's Ability to Pay Rent
An effective tenant verification process includes employment and income checks. The latter can help determine whether future tenants can pay rent on time.
An employment history check can tell you whether an applicant has a job, what it is, and their employer. A credit check gives insight into someone's financial behavior and stability. You can learn whether they pay their debts on time or routinely miss payments.
3. Review Tenants' Rental History
You should always ask prospective renters if they've rented before. If so, ask for landlord references. Then, contact their previous landlords to find out if they've been good tenants who:
- Always paid rent on time
- Took care of the property
- Respected the neighbors
Past landlords can also tell you if tenants complied with the terms of their previous lease. These include satisfying tenant responsibilities and following rules like property policies for pets.
4. Check Convictions for Severe Crimes
Ideally, your future tenants should have no criminal history.
However, even if they have a record, you should not immediately reject their application. After all, in Nevada, many people have records for minor misdemeanors, such as misusing park benches. That's not enough reason to deny someone housing.
So, when reviewing prospective tenants' criminal histories, always check what they're for. If they're convictions for felonies, it's your every right to choose other applicants with clean records.
If you're wary of dealing with the complexities of tenant screening, especially legalities, hire a property manager. They can take over your tasks as a landlord, including the entire tenant screening process.
Simplify the Tenant Background Check Process
A tenant background check is crucial for finding qualified, trustworthy tenants. However, it's also complex and time-consuming.
The good news is that you don't have to deal with tenant screening alone; PMI Diversified Properties can help. Our owner has over 20 years of experience in asset valuation, acquisition, management, and disposition. You can rely on us for tenant screening, marketing, rent collection, property maintenance, and eviction assistance.
So, if you're ready to find and retain the best tenants, speak with us today! We'll gladly tell you how we can help you maximize your Reno rental property.
