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Monday, January 5, 2009


Welcome to the AAOA Forum, where we discuss the the topics our members want to hear and want to talk about. We like to take an active roll in the online community to help our members learn and help educate landlords new and old. We encourage you to participate and join in our discussions. Thanks.

TENANT BACKGROUND CHECKS 101: THE PREVIOUS ADDRESS TENANT HISTORY

TENANT BACKGROUND CHECKS 101: WHY THE PREVIOUS ADDRESS TENANT HISTORY (PATH) IS A CHEAP AND EASY WAY TO SEE IF YOUR PROSPECT IS TELLING THE WHOLE TRUTH

Identity photoThe Previous Address Tenant History, or PATH report, is cheap –only about $6, a cost that is charged against the application fee is most cases.

But don’t let the low cost fool you — this report offers a lot of bang of the buck!

The Previous Address Tenant History:

  • Lists each address that is associated with the applicant’s social security number.
  • Lists the date ranges at each address.

With this information, the landlord can:

  • Evaluate if the prospect is telling the truth on the application.
  • Eliminate shared names from the criminal reports, which are not referenced to social security numbers.
  • Discover if the prospect lived outside the area of the criminal history report ordered so the landlord can broaden the search.
  • Gain another tool to determine if the social security number provided by the applicant is fraudulent.

Remember to order tenant background checks for all of the adults who will be sharing the property. 

Follow this link to see a sample Previous Address Tenant History.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services related to apartment management, including tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, technology, insurance and financing.  Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.

Premium and PremiumPlus members receive discounts on Tenant Background Checks.

For more information on Tenant Background Checks, see our interview with Fidelity Information Corporation CEO Jeff Cronrod,TENANT BACKGROUND CHECKS:  LITTLE KNOWN WAYS TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES.

This exclusive interview is included on the American Apartment Owners Association’s CD series, Real Estate Investment Secrets, twelve exclusive interviews with industry experts that will supercharge your ability to locate the best investment properties and manage or sell them for maximum profit. 

Real Estate Investment Secrets is available exclusively through the American Apartment Owners Association. To purchase a copy, visit www.joinaaoa.org.  Join as a PremiumPlus member, receive all the benefits of membership, and this CD series is our gift to you.

For tips on how your tenant background check can affect your chances for recovery of unpaid rent, check out our series on the blog “Seven Vital Tips to Help You Collect Your Tenant Debt”. 

Check back for next week’s feature, ”Everything You Need to Know Before Hiring a Property Management Company“, with Rodney Trepess, CEO, All Property Management.

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Filed under: AAOA Forum, Credit Screening

  1. IS YOUR LEASE APPLICATION FALLING SHORT?

    […] Previous Address history gives you the basis for deciding which criminal databases to search, allows you to cross-check against the PATH report and other information provided to avoid fraud, and gives you current and previous landlord information for references. […]

  2. Anonymous

    […] The only information that can distinguish a person on a criminal report is full legal name (See What’s in a Name), a full and accurate date of birth, and accurate address information (See Previous Address Tenant History).  […]

  3. AAOA - American Apartment Owners Association » Avoid This Tenant Debt Collection Nightmare

    […] What screening reports and cross-checks (criminal history, credit, and previous address history) were used? Click here for information on the P.A.T.H. Report. […]

  4. AAOA - American Apartment Owners Association » Insider Secrets for Getting the Best Tenant Credit Reports

    […] To set up an inspection, contact AAOA customer service at 866-579-AAOA (2262)    Click here to learn more about tenant screening, including a list of what types of reports are available […]

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