Applying for Real Estate Rental Property
If you’re looking to rent a real estate property in your area, there are a few things you’ll need to take into consideration. Specifically, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got all your information in order. This includes your Social security number, your date of birth, and information about your pets and vehicles.
Social security number
If you are a landlord, you have a lot on the line when it comes to collecting social security numbers from prospective tenants. It is important to be careful because identity theft is a real problem in the United States.
In addition to asking for a social security number, you may also ask for the tenant’s last known address. This is to ensure that you remit any unclaimed property to the State Treasurer. You should not store social security numbers on electronic devices. When you do print off documents with a SSN on them, be sure to keep them in a secure environment. Leaving an unsecured PDF copy of the documents can lead to identity theft.
Another risk when it comes to collecting SSNs is that you can be held liable for causing damage to the applicant’s credit. Most places do not require a SSN on an online application, but some do.
Additionally, some places do not require a SSN on paper applications. While you may not want to take on the additional liability of requesting SSNs, you should explore other screening methods.
Pet & vehicle information
When you are applying for a real estate rental property, you want to be sure that you have the most pertinent information available to you. This includes pet & vehicle information. Having a clear understanding of the rules and regulations will help you avoid unnecessary headaches down the road. If you are unsure of what to ask, use an application guide.
The best way to find out whether you can bring your dog or cat to a prospective apartment or home is to read the lease. You can also look into your local city ordinances to see what restrictions exist. For example, in some cities you are allowed to have a small pet as long as it is contained. However, you might need to prove that you are in fact a responsible pet owner, or get permission from the landlord before you adopt another one.
It is important to keep in mind that if you do not meet the requirements of a particular policy, you can still be fined. For example, if you are found to have neglected to clean up after your dog, you may be asked to remove it from the premises. Similarly, if you fail to provide proof that you have all the required vaccinations, you could face a fine or worse, eviction.
Background check
When you are applying for a real estate rental property, it is very important that you conduct a background check on the prospective renter. This will save you time and effort and will help you to avoid having to deal with a potentially damaging renter.
A background check can include criminal records, financial history, and work history. It will also help you to find out more about the tenant’s current living situation.
Landlords should collect the applicant’s name, contact information, date of birth, and social security number. These are vital personal details.
Landlords should also ask for the applicant’s employment history. Employer references can provide a clearer picture of whether or not the applicant is a reliable tenant.
The criminal history of the applicant can show if he or she has previously been convicted of a crime. If the applicant is convicted, it will stay on his or her record indefinitely.
Criminal records should be taken seriously. They may be a sign of intentional discrimination or a violation of fair housing laws.