Landlord wants to background check?

[kimmie 2]

Hi everyone - Searched everywhere to find out if this was even legal but to no avail, so maybe someone can help me please?

We are just about to file the K-1, and I have applied for a new apartment, explaining to the landlord that my fiance will arrive here at some point during the next year. He wants to do a background check on him as he did for me. Can he do that? What information would I give him? I don't know that I'm entirely comfortable with it, but it's the perfect flat for the next year or so. I'm not sure if this would make or break the deal or not...

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!!! :-)

[J&N* 68]

If he did it with you then it's fine if he does it with him, after all both of you will be on the lease right? I had to fill a bunch of paperwork when I was put on my husband's lease. The US will run background checks on him so I'm sure your landlord couldn't be worse than the government!

Good luck!

Edited January 21, 2012 by J&N*

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Usually the landlord will do a credit check. It's your choice to disclose the information, but of you decide not to disclose, you may not get the place. If you think you are being discriminated against, there are several agencies that you can complain to, and I believe the tenant/landlord agreement may refer you to at least one of those agencies. I haven't rented in a long time, so I can't say for certain which agencies those are.

[skiptex 225]

as a landlord, the reasons i do "background" checks is to make sure they are worthy as renter for my property..

i am not checking into citizenship or legal immigrate..

nothing wrong with that..

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi everyone - Searched everywhere to find out if this was even legal but to no avail, so maybe someone can help me please?

We are just about to file the K-1, and I have applied for a new apartment, explaining to the landlord that my fiance will arrive here at some point during the next year. He wants to do a background check on him as he did for me. Can he do that? What information would I give him? I don't know that I'm entirely comfortable with it, but it's the perfect flat for the next year or so. I'm not sure if this would make or break the deal or not...

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!!! :-)

Landlords routinely run background checks on all adult renters. It's perfectly normal and legal (you are not being discriminated against). Usually, the landlord will require all adults renting an apartment or house to fill out an application, provide a government issued ID, and pay a small fee for a background check.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/tenant-background-check-laws-1780.html

Under federal law and the laws of California, a landlord can perform a full background check on you before deciding whether you can move into the apartment he manages. However, the federal Fair Housing Act as well as state laws do not allow landlords to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation or disability when conducting such background checks, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Also, a landlord must use the same background check guidelines for every prospective tenant or risk being guilty of discrimination in housing, notes the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

[Tim/Mav 305]

When you Rent, Lease on any basis it is vurtually up to that person(s) to make a decision even with a clear record. ( Landlords or Owners or Manager) They can actually charge for a background check which usually will come up Null if they even run a check. Best to let your Property Owner, Landlord, Manager the details and not let it be a shock so they don't get blown out of porportion. The Landlord/Tenant Laws are to be abided by in any case.

If they deny the additional tenant in this case your future spouse you have no choice. Those Contracts are written for the benefit of the Owners and not for the Tenant(s).

Only a ####### Landlord would do this. But, they do sometimes.

If not allowed you may have to move. Read that Contact and/or Lease Agreement well.

PS. Work with the Landlord. Or just Move.

[Darnell 8,478]

it's gonna be fun, that background check on the UK Citizen still in the UK.

Let us know the result, yes?

as to 'can he?' well - this is some combination of 'local option' combined with yer state's laws and regs on rental property.

For a K-1, to 'co-mingle financial assets' in this fashion makes no sense - a Visa Officer will ask if you are married, on interview day.

What are you doing, really?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I don't see how the landlord will come up with anything on him because they probably run a check using the SSN or driver's license. Did you ask how he checks on foreign people? I've read threads on VJ where people have been denied jobs because because their SSN was too new and not in the database they run background checks on. (Not talking about the government's work authorization database.)

Can't you just rent it alone and add him to the lease later after he gets here?

Could your fiance get his ACPO police certificate to show the landlord he has no criminal background? Wonder if he's more interested in that or just credit history?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Landlords conducting background checks is pretty standard - I know my neighbor conducted one on of his tenants (another neighbor) and found out he was a lot more interesting than we originally thought!

I wouldn't expect they would find anything on a new immigrant - but do bear in mind a landlord can not deny you that apartment because he is an immigrant or because of your marital status

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Let me give you the result on his background check right here: "no entry found."

[Darnell 8,478]

Landlords conducting background checks is pretty standard - I know my neighbor conducted one on of his tenants (another neighbor) and found out he was a lot more interesting than we originally thought!

I wouldn't expect they would find anything on a new immigrant - but do bear in mind a landlord can not deny you that apartment because he is an immigrant or because of your marital status

the fella hasn't immigrated yet. And won't, for some time, almost a year.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Yes, but it sounds like the OP needs to move into this apartment now. Landlord can and probably will do a background check, which will come up with nothing. If he denies her the department because her husband to be be has a background check with "no entry found", he is on shaky ground for housing discrimination because the same would happen for any new immigrant/immigrant to be.

I would like to think it would not come to that, but the OP does have rights if the landlord decides to be difficult.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The check will probably come back negative. Many people that get taken in by Nigerian romance scammers do background checks on their online amour and it comes back clean because the person doesn't exist ( in the database or in real life ). The normal US person has no ability to request data from other countries.

[kimmie 2]

Thanks so much for all the responses!! Will send his info to the potential landlord and see what happens... Thanks!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Thanks so much for all the responses!! Will send his info to the potential landlord and see what happens... Thanks!

Honestly, I would just apply by yourself for the time being and then ask to have his name added to the lease when he arrives. He won't have the ability to do a background check under the current circumstances.