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In a message dated 4/9/00 10:14:33 PM Central Daylight Time,
hooperck@... writes:

<< Does anyone know how I can do a credit check on a prospective renter? >>

Ann,
Do you have an account with a credit company? I ran HUD-subsidized housing
for years and we would just set up an account with a local company (check the
Yellow Pages). You have to get the prospective renter to sign an agreement
stating that their credit will be checked. The company you use will probably
have standard agreements that you can use for examples. If the person's
credit is bad enough that you won't rent to him/her, you have to let them
know that they are being turned down, but you do not show them the copy of
their credit report. They are responsible for contacting the company and
getting a copy (it is free to them if they are turned down for bad credit).

I've seen some pretty amazing credit reports. I had one woman living in one
of the projects who wanted her boyfriend to move in with her. I checked his
credit, and he owed over $30,000 (!!!) in back child support. He was only 22
years old! Evidently he had children with 8 different women. All the kids
were about the same age (about 3 yrs old), so he must have had a mighty
powerful urge to spread his seed at some point. He was turned down to rent
with us - NOT because of his prolific paternity habits, but because he
couldn't pay off the bad debt. The girlfriend who wanted him to live with
her (she was one of the 8) knew about all the other 7 and didn't care. In
fact, she frequently babysat for the other kids! I don't think I would be
quite so understanding.

Anyhoo, good luck!


*** KiM ***
runs with scissors