Recent FBI statistics suggest property crime is up 7% nationally, and it turns out this figure is about the same in Puyallup, WA. As a Puyallup landlord, you'll want to take steps to protect your investment. Sadly, the perpetrators of property crime are often your own tenants.
Luckily, you have some useful tools at your disposal to lower the risk. The most effective method is the tenant criminal background check. Interested in learning more about this crucial risk management technique? Read on to learn 4 key reasons why you should run rental background checks.
1: Ensure Safety
One of the top reasons to run a criminal background check is that it helps you create a safe environment by identifying risky tenants while they're still in the tenancy application process. By identifying individuals with a criminal background, you can refuse to rent to them, significantly reducing the risk that your property will be occupied by someone doing illegal activities.
This isn't just beneficial for you. You're also protecting the other residents by creating a safer environment.
2: Prevent Property Damage
Careless tenants who accidentally damage the property are a problem, but that's nothing compared to deliberate vandalism. A criminal background check can help you predict how likely an applicant is to disrespect your property like this. Obviously, if an applicant has a history of criminal damage, it makes sense not to rent to them.
By following the best tenant screening tips, you'll protect your investment, by identifying those who'll rack up huge repair and maintenance costs. Of course, background checks won't detect every individual who might damage your investment, but they will certainly help you uncover the worst offenders.
3: Enrich the Local Community
Landlords can have a significant impact on the overall character of a neighborhood, especially if you own multiple units. Who you decide to rent to can transform the character of the area. When you rent to trustworthy, hard-working people, you're helping make the area safer and more desirable.
But, if you rent to criminals, the neighborhood can quickly turn into a hub for illegal activity.
4: Ensure Legal Compliance
Doing adequate property safety checks is about more than just protecting your investment. It could also protect you from future legal trouble. If you have tenants who cause trouble in the community, you could face legal issues if you can't prove you did your due diligence. Thankfully, you can easily avoid legal problems by doing comprehensive tenant screening.
Don't Take Chances With Your Tenant Criminal Background Check
Doing a comprehensive tenant criminal background check is no easy task. You'll need extensive knowledge of how to navigate criminal records. Without the right skill set, you risk overlooking crucial information. That's why many landlords turn to professional screening services.
SJC Management Group is here to help with your comprehensive background check. We have decades of experience helping landlords find the best tenants, and we'll put our skills to use to find out everything you need to know about your applicants. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
