# How To Look Up A Tenant's Renting History?
The rental history report of a tenant is just as crucial as their income or credit score. A rigors screening process will help you find a quality tenant who pays their rent on time and takes care of the property.
On the other hand, skimping on the screening procedure can end up costing you money in the long run. After all, evicting a bad tenant is more difficult than allowing one to rent your property.
Here are four steps to get you started on the correct track for checking a tenant's rental history:
**1.Begin by asking pre-screening questions for the rental history report.**
When you first speak with a potential tenant over the phone or via email, the rental verification process begins. Before you begin, examine your current state legislation as well as laws to understand what questions you can and cannot ask a prospective tenant.
In general, though, you should expect to learn the following facts:
- How long have they been at their current residence?
- Why are they relocating?
- Whether they are willing to fill out a rental application and allow a background check to be conducted.
- Whether or whether they are willing to provide references from prior employers and landlords.
- Whether they had previously been evicted from an apartment
**2.Create a rental history report using the rental application process.**
The present and past addresses of the potential tenant should be collected on the rental application form. The dates the renter lived at each residence, as well as the landlord's contact information, should be included. It is also necessary to obtain permission to contact past landlords.
**3.Verify the landlord's references.**
If the tenant agrees to a rental history check, you must then undertake the time-consuming chore of making numerous phone calls to verify the information. You may be tempted to skip this section, but resist the temptation. It might make the difference between renting to a good renter and renting to a terrible one if you do so.
The purpose of calling past landlords is to double-check the accuracy of the tenant's information. It's also a good time to enquire about the tenant's treatment of the property and whether any lease violations happened during the tenancy. If at all possible, ask open-ended inquiries to gain a deeper understanding of the situation.
**4.Double-check the information with the tenant.**
Let's say the rent references you verify don't match what the tenant said on the screening call or on their application. In that instance, it's worthwhile to enquire about the differences with the tenant. These could be trivial errors or deliberate inaccuracies on the other party's behalf. A potential tenant, for example, can supply false information just as easily as a landlord might lie about a tenant.
Of course, deciding who to believe in these instances is difficult. You'll have to trust your instincts, but a few questions should clear up any misunderstandings. Additionally, if you contact at least three previous landlords.
After you go through this process you are ready to lend your [house for rent Ponds](https://goo.gl/maps/KwXPcRtdK8dp83S26). Enjoy your new source of income.
Elders Box Hill
Ph: 02 8809 5280
Email: boxhill@eldersre.com.au
Address: G17/320B Annangrove Rd, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
