Realty411 Magazine Featuring Missy McCall-Hammonds | Page 97

DecisionPoint also takes into account longevity of employment and longevity of residence, thereby ensuring a higher probability of overall resident retention. In addition, the NTN DecisionPoint report is accompanied by a comprehen- sive NTN tenant-performance profile, a detailed eviction and lease violation history, screening history, landlord iden- tification and terrorist search. How do I obtain an applicant’s credit report? Tenant screening companies, such as NTN, are strictly regulated under the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Anyone requesting consumer credit in- formation about an applicant must show “permissible purpose” before receiving the records. There are three national credit bureaus providing this informa- tion: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. What additional information should I request? In additional to consumer credit infor- mation, tenant screening reports may also include criminal records, eviction records, sex offender registry searches, Patriot Act or OFAC searches and rental or employment verifications. NATIONAL TENANT NETWORK F or more than 25 years, Nation- al Tenant Network has been focused on a single goal: to help property owners and manag- ers make the best leasing decisions possible. We care about your bottom line, and understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of your rental property. NTN operates from 20 regional offices nationwide, pro- viding exceptional customer service to every subscriber. How does comprehensive applicant screening impact investor profit? Investment losses can occur from evictions, “skips” (tenants who leave without notice or without paying the last month’s rent) or property damage done by tenants. While these are examples of the most common lease violations, they are not the only ones that might cost real estate investors money. It is especially important to be aware of past perfor- mance when choosing a tenant for your property. Good credit doesn’t necessari- As the nation’s oldest and largest national resident screening service, NTN has successfully screened more than 15 million applicants. Our in- depth knowledge of resident screen- ing and landlord/tenant challenges helps us deliver exceptional end-to- end resident screening solutions. To speak with our experienced staff, contact NTN at 800.228.0989 or on the web at www.ntnonline.com ly equate to good tenants. Tenant screening is quick and cost effective. It should always be an inte- gral part of your investment property management strategy. Minimizing risk requires that you: • Establish consistent criteria for all rental property applicants • Comply with all federal and state laws regarding Fair Housing and Credit reporting • Obtain the data necessary to make an informed decision • Screen every applicant Start Your Education Today! Get Your FREE Self-Directed Self-Made Success ebook and a FREE 1-on-1 Mentor Session with a USelfDirect Wealth Specialist Realty411Guide.com PAGE 97 • 2014 reWEALTHmag.com