Our company performs a credit check, criminal background check and previous landlord check with new renters. It's the least a property management company should do for it's owners.

I know we don't do criminal background checks. I think we do a previous landlord check and of course the credit check. But no criminal background ckeck.

Mary:

Do the landlord check & credit check prior to showing!

The whole point is... you get them to give you their information in order to "screen" them prior to showing them any properties. If they are willing to fill out the forms & have a inquiry made, then they ARE serious prospects. If not, then they most likely are "lookers". If you have some resistance to the request, just ask them why they object. Tell them that it's something that they have to go through anyway, so why not do it now, unless you're "just looking" and not ready to rent.

$50 bucks for a credit check? isn't that excessive. For that kind of fee, you should be able to get an all-in-one report on the rental applicant, including a back ground check and any eviction history.

If you pre-screen renters by way of their faxed or mailed application and their integrity checks, you would be managing your time better and would not find it necessary to charge an upfront showing fee. You also need to find out if that is an ethical practice by contacting your local apartment owners association, or some similar group.

I believe Mary wants to charge the upfront fee to off set some of her gasoline and miscellaneous expenses. I do not know how screening potential clients will offset those expenses. I guess it will weed out those whom you are spinning your wheels with that will not be able to get a rental anyway. In that sense, screening is good. But, chances are you screen somebody, everything checks out okay and then you still show them tons of places. In that sense, screening the applicant did not save on your expenses.
I still stick to my original thoughts on this. As a client, I would go next door to the Realtor who would gladly show me property without charging me a "showing fee". I have always thought that part of my gig was expenses. when I successfully do my job and fulfill my clients needs, I get rewarded...not until then.

I think the idea of doing all the screening ahead of time is the best idea. The way we do it now is we get that screen AFTER they're interested in a place to rent. I think that's the wrong way to do it.

How will the screening stop a client from looking at 50 properties? You will weed out bad clients, but will you not still be running people around on your dime? I had thought that was the issue...

Anyone have a good low cost criminal background check source?

Try FDLE.com

I think $50 bucks is pretty reasonable for a credit check. I'm aware of other agencies that charge $75 and even $100. I don't know what standard procedure applies in California. Wish I were there though

Just to be sure, I checked again with our California Assn of Realtors rental application form and it stated that the screening fee is not to exceed $30.00. This is the left coast.....who knew?

NY can be insane. When I was doing my first transaction (a rental) the listing agent demanded the customer undergo THEIR credit check! My customer agreed - although the idea really bothered the heck out of ME. Then when I found out what they were charging I understood why they insisted on it..$250!!!! Nope..I didn't add a zero! Usually, in Westchester it's about $15-20. I guess they found another to augment their profit. They only offered the subagent $100.00 to rent the place - which would give me $50.00! I didn't know any better at the time. My office was furious - on both counts.