According to the Texas Center for Justice and Equity, an estimated 9 million people in Texas have an unsealed criminal record. While many are for petty crimes, others are for more severe criminal activities against property and other people.
As a landlord in Coppell, TX, the last thing you want is to rent to tenants with the propensity to damage your property or endanger your other renters and neighbors. For this reason, you must run a thorough tenant criminal background check on each applicant.
So, join our team of experts at PMI Cowboys Realty as we provide insights into rental application checks and background verification Coppell landlords like you must conduct.
Ensure Legal Compliance When Running a Tenant Criminal Background Check
One of the most crucial property management tips for Coppell landlords is to ensure your tenant screening process adheres to all local and federal laws governing renter security assessment. According to the Texas State Law Library, some of the regulations related to background checks and criminal histories are:
- The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA)
- Section 20.05 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code
- Section 92.3515 of the Texas Property Code
- Chapter 301 of the Texas Property Code (the Texas Fair Housing Act)
Non-compliance with the above can lead to legal pitfalls and hefty fines. So, please familiarize yourself with them before conducting tenant checks.
Implement a Standardized Procedure
Use a consistent process for all rental applicants to ensure fairness and transparency. If you plan to conduct a criminal background check on one applicant, you must do the same with everyone who applies to become your renter. Otherwise, you risk violating the federal and state FHA.
Communicate Clearly
Inform all renter applicants about your screening process and the information you'll use. Some of the details you need for criminal background and other tenant screening checks include each applicant's:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social security number
Under Texas law, landlords must also provide applicants with a "tenant selection criteria" notice. You must give them this document when they submit their rental application. It must indicate all the reasons you may reject an applicant.
Run the Criminal History Check
Once you've gathered all the necessary documents, you can run the following:
- National Criminal Search
- National Sex Offender Search
- International Terrorism Database Search
Alternatively, you can simplify things by hiring a property manager. They can streamline the process by providing a comprehensive and legally compliant tenant screening process that includes:
- Criminal background checks
- Credit score and report checks
- Employment and income checks
- Rental and eviction history checks
Ready to Find the Best Tenants for Your Coppell Rental Property?
Employing an effective tenant screening process, including a comprehensive tenant criminal background check, protects your investment and enhances the safety of your rental property. Follow these guidelines to conduct thorough and fair assessments in Coppell, TX.
Or, if you want to find your best tenants as quickly and straightforwardly as possible, team up with PMI Cowboys Realty. Our full-service property management solutions include tenant screening and placement, marketing, lease enforcement, rent collection, and accounting. Our owner, Sridhar Ravilla, is a seasoned real estate professional who has been active since 2004 and has over 20 years of property management expertise.
Reach out today so we can get started on your free property consultation!
