Quick answers for landlords.
Everything you need to know about signing up, report options, site inspection, soft inquiries, and more — all in one place.
FAQ
Tap a question to expand the answer.
Do I have to be a MrLandlord.com subscriber or member or can any landlord use this service? +
How fast can I start viewing my first screening reports? +
Can you tell me more about the Report Tenants Debt service? +
Do You Have One or More Former Tenants Who Left Owing You Money?
Over the years, many, many visitors to MrLandlord.com have asked the question: “Is there a way I report my former tenants’ debts to the major credit bureaus?”
GOOD NEWS! Announcing…
MrLandlord’s New and Improved Debt Reporting and Collection Service!
MrLandlord has partnered with a debt collection agency that boasts one of the highest success rates in the industry. While their success rate consistently beats national averages, please understand that they may not collect from every debtor. However, the mark on the debtor’s credit report remains visible for other owners to see.
And there is the chance that once the debt is put on the tenant’s credit report, I have personally had resident’s get back with me one, two, three years or more later wanting to pay off the debt because they were now ready to buy a house, but could not do so until the debt was clear.
You simply sign up to use this service by clicking here to create a free account. Then whenever you wish to report a resident to the credit bureaus for one low fee, you will be able to do so online 24 hours a day and seven days a week and it will be charged to whatever credit card you put on file.
By reporting debt owed (for $12.95), you may eventually get paid (even if months or years later). So if a resident leaves owing you money, don’t just let them go without any accountability. Plus, it may help another landlord avoid getting burned. If you want more info on the debt reporting and collection services, click here.
What is a site inspection and how much is it? +
Once you have set up your free account, you will immediately be able to use some of our popular screening services, including nationwide eviction reports, criminal reports and tenant debt reporting to all 3 credit bureaus. However, you will not yet be fully set up to order full credit reports. To do so, you must first request a quick and nothing-to-fear site inspection.
A licensed inspector approved by the bureau will visit your home or office (wherever you primarily operate) to verify the following is present: 1) Password protected computer, 2) filing cabinet that locks, 3) a shredder. The inspection also verifies that you are not operating an unauthorized business. A site inspection will only take minutes and it can be scheduled within 24 to 48 hours. For assistance, call 1-888-294-4640.
Your first TWO “Best Deal Credit Combos” or TWO “Deluxe Deal Combos” are free (which includes credit reports from one or TWO credit bureaus, double whammy eviction report and the 3 in 1 criminal reports). That’s up tp a $58 savings back in your pocket. So in essence, the site inspection, which costs $64 thru MrLandlord.com. only cost you $8.
Others sites may charge from $75 to $99 and as much as $199 for set-up fee and on-site inspection (and do not give you any free reports in return). Some companies charge registration or monthly fees MrLandlord.com does not charge any membership or monthly fees, nor registration fees.
Why shouldn’t I use another tenant credit check service that does not require a site inspection? +
Because of tougher required guidelines by all major credit bureaus, be very leery of any tenant screening company that does not require an-on-site inspection. In almost all cases, the credit report that such companies provide you is not the actual, complete credit report. The report is most likely only some type of summary and/or recommendation based on information from the credit report. (By the way we offer the “no-inspection required” reports for those who prefer not to do an on-site inspection).
However, to best judge and screen your applicants, you really need to see more than just a “recommendation”, you need to see the actual report in order to best analyze the payment history and type of payments an applicant has paid or not paid. Do not settle for just a summary or recommendation; make sure (before you pay any money) that you will get to see the actual full tenant credit reports.
When I run a credit report on an applicant, will it be a soft or “hard” inquiry and affect credit score? +
What if I only have one or two vacancies a year, is there a cheaper alternative? +
You may find an individual or company that does not charge for a site inspection BUT charges you a higher price per report, perhaps $25 or more per credit report. With just ONE vacancy during the year, you may only have to screen two potential couples (four reports total).
If you pay $25 per report, you spent $100. With MrLandlord.com, you pay $64 for the on-site inspection. Your first two credit reports are free and you pay for the second two ($9.95 each). Your total expense is $84.
You can still request our “no-inspection required” ABC credit report if you prefer not to do an on-site inspection.
What’s the advantage over programs like Smartmove (no on-site inspection required)? +
The biggest advantage is that you, the landlord, STAY IN CONTROL during the screening process. SmartMove was designed as a consumer (applicant) initiated website. The applicant must respond to email requests to allow landlords to view credit reports — which does not always happen.
With MrLandlord.com credit checks, once you are set up you can run credit reports whenever you want and are not dependent on whether an applicant responds to emails.
Once my service account is set up, do I have to sign up each time I want another report? +
Why do some landlords choose the “No-Inspection required” ABC report? +
Some landlords want to run reports immediately because they need to screen right away. While completing the process to view full credit reports, they request the ABC report.
The ABC Report is based on credit score and a few other factors found on the credit report and gives a letter grade between A and F. You receive the ABC report, not the actual credit report.
Do you offer credit reports from more than one major credit bureau? +
Can I charge the prospective resident an application fee to cover the report? +
How long has the credit check service been providing reports to rental owners? +
What do others landlords have to say about the service? +
Denial notice / compliance reminder +
My tenant moved out two years ago — may I still report them to the credit bureaus? +
How long after I report the tenant’s debt before it shows up? +
Let’s do it. How do I sign up and get my username/password? +
Hit the next CLICK!!
CLICK HERE if you wish now to sign up for your free tenant screening account so that you can request a tenant credit report, eviction report, criminal report, or to report former tenants (who left owing you money) to all three major credit bureaus.
Additional questions (forum discussions) +
Click on additional questions below that you are interested in seeing a previous discussion by landlords on our Q&A Forum:
After watching “Can’t Pay, We’ll Take It Away”… I feel compelled to tighten up my screening…
The company we used stopped this service. Who do you use?
I just signed up… what reports do most people get?
Does anyone use the credit/background/eviction check site listed at the top?
Do you have a requirement on max Credit Used from a credit report?
What is the lowest score you accept?
How do you report to Credit Agencies if a tenant left owing money?
CLICK NOW TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE TENANT SCREENING ACCOUNT: CLICK HERE
Over the years, many, many visitors to MrLandlord.com have asked the question: “Is there a way I report my former tenants’ debts to the major credit bureaus?”
GOOD NEWS! Announcing…
MrLandlord’s New and Improved Debt Reporting and Collection Service!
MrLandlord has partnered with a debt collection agency that boasts one of the highest success rates in the industry . While their success rate consistently beats national averages, please understand that they may not collect from every debtor. However, the mark on the debtor’s credit report remains visible for other owners to see. And there is the chance that once the debt is put on the tenant’s credit report, I have personally had resident’s get back with me one, two, three years or more later wanting to pay off the debt because they were now ready to buy a house, but could not do so until the debt was clear.
You simply sign up to use this service by clicking here to create a free account. Then whenever you wish to report a resident to the credit bureaus for one low fee, you will be able to do so online 24 hours a day and seven days a week and it will be charged to whatever credit card you put on file.
By reporting debt owed (for $12.95), you may eventually get paid (even if months or years later). So if a resident leaves owing you money, don’t just let them go without any accountability. Plus, it may help another landlord avoid getting burned. If you want more info on the debt reporting and collection services, click here.
Click on additional questions below that you are interested in seeing a previous discussion by landlords on our Q&A Forum:
After watching a bunch of episodes of “Can’t Pay, We’ll Take It Away” and “Nightmare Tenants,Slum Landlords”, I feel compelled to tighten up my screening. I think I am finally going to complete and register the paperwork to access Mrlandlord online credit checks. Would appreciate any thoughts on this.
The company that we have been doing credit checks with just informed us that they have stopped this service. Who do you use?
I just signed up for Mr Landlord’s tenant screening service. They have a lot of options and reports available. I wanted to know what kind of reports do most people get…?
My question is does anyone use the credit, background, and past eviction check site listed at the top of this site?
Do you have a requirement on max Credit Used from a credit report?
What is the lowest score you accept?
How do you report to Credit Agencies if a tenant left owing money?