any landlords here who use a service to do background checks?

[grasswire]

A neighbor is going to rent out his apartment on his property and is thinking of doing a commercial background check as part of the process because he's elderly and needs to be safe.

Does anyone have a recommendation for such a service? I see ads on the Internet, but have nothing to go by regarding legitimacy or reliability.

[madinmaryland]

1. An attorney who is trusted might be a good start. He could help with a lease

and could probably recommend a background search.

[grasswire]

2. that is an idea, but more costly than will work in this instance.

It's just a little apartment. Those services charge about $40 for a check, and many landlords use them -- was just wondering if any are better.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. :-) If it were a more costly rental, a lawyer would sure be a good thing.

[jannyk]

3. I don't know where you are on the PacNW, but I get mine done

through the Rental Housing Association - he may have to pay a membership fee - but it's cheaper than a Lawyer and he'll find tons of resources there (lease agreements and all sorts of required forms).

I use the one in the Bay Area (Alameda County):

http://www.rhanac.org/

but they are all over the country. Here's one for Puget Sound:

http://www.rha-ps.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Landlord_Resource

Just 'google' rental housing organization together with the name of your City or County.