Fillable Form Rental Verification

What is a Rental Verification?

A Rental Verification form, also known as a Landlord Verification Form or a Tenant Verification Form, serves as a document that helps landlords and property managers verify the background, reliability, and suitability of prospective tenants.

What information does it collect?

The rent verification form collects detailed information about the prospective tenant's rental history, employment status, income, and personal references.

This allows landlords to make informed decisions in picking tenants by asking their previous landlord to provide a reference or rental history report.

Why do I need to screen tenants?

As a landlord, you should screen your tenants so that you’re sure that they will take care of your property, pay on time, and not invite a bad neighborhood.

Here’s a real-life case that shows the importance of screening tenants:

In 2023, a Los Angeles homeowner faced a nightmare situation when an Airbnb guest, Elizabeth Hirschhorn, refused to leave the guesthouse after her extended stay ended. Despite not paying rent for over a year, she claimed tenant rights under California law and remained in the property, exploiting legal loopholes to delay eviction. The homeowner, Sascha Jovanovic, was unable to remove her without a lengthy court battle, resulting in significant financial loss and frustration. The case gained national attention and highlighted the risks of not having a proper lease and tenant screening, even for short-term rentals.

How do I use a Rental Verification Form?

Follow these steps to use a rental verification form:

1. Look for potential tenants for your unit.
2. Make them fill out a rental application form.
3. Get the contact details of their previous landlord, if applicable.
4. Contact their previous landlords and have them fill out the rent verification form.
5. After receiving the completed forms, review each one to decide which tenant/s would fit your criteria.
6. If you need more credibility, you can check their credit scores or ask for a tenant reference from the previous landlord.
7. Select the tenant that fits your criteria.

How do I fill out a Rental Verification Form?

First, get a fillable rental verification form template from PDFRun.

Then, provide the following information:

Section 1: Tenant Consent

This section contains the consent form for verifying an applicant’s rental history.

1. Date

Enter the date that this form is being sent to the tenant's previous landlord.

2. Tenant’s Name

Enter the name of the tenant in question.

3. Requestor

Enter the name of the requestor, which in this case is you.

4. Rental Unit Location

Enter the address details of the rental unit.

5. Fax Number and Email

Enter the fax number and email that the requestor uses to receive completed Rental Verification forms.

Section 2: Tenant Details

1. Move-in and Move-out Date1

Enter the date that the Tenant moved in and the date that they moved out.

2. Monthly Rent and Inclusions

Enter the amount in rental payments made every month, and any inclusions to the Rent.

3. Rent Payment - On Time

Mark the box that indicates how often the tenant paid their rent on time. Check only one of the following:

• Always
• Sometimes
• Never

If you check “sometimes”, enter the number of times the payment was late, and the longest period of time (in days) that rent payment was late.

4. Occupants and Rules

Enter the number of occupants in the property, and indicate if they followed the rules or not.

5. Checks - NSF

Indicate if any checks were returned as NSF. If you check “yes”, enter the number of NSF checks returned.

6. Security Deposit

Mark the relevant box to indicate if the security deposit was returned. If you check “no”, explain why in the space provided.

7. Complaints and Property Condition

Indicate if there were any complaints made about the tenant(s) by other tenants, and if the property was kept in good condition. If you check “yes”, explain why in the space provided.

8. Reason/s for Vacating

Enter the reason or reasons for why the tenant vacated this property, then mark the relevant box to indicate if prior notice was given or not.

9. Relation to Tenant

Mark the relevant box to indicate if you or anyone in your company (if applicable) is related to the tenant.

10. Rent Again

Mark the relevant box to indicate if you would ever allow the tenant to rent your property again. Then explain why or why not in the space provided.

Section 3: Info Verification

1. Person Verifying

Have the person verifying this information (i.e. you or the landlord you represent) enter their name and sign the form in the space provided.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is employment information important in rental verification?

Employment information indicates a tenant's income stability and ability to afford rent. It helps landlords verify that the tenant has a reliable source of income.

What role do personal references play in rental verification?

Personal references provide additional insights into a tenant's character and reliability. They help landlords understand the tenant's behavior and interpersonal skills.

What is the purpose of a background check in rental verification?

A background check reveals a tenant's criminal history, ensuring they do not pose a risk to the property or other tenants. It helps landlords make safer and more informed decisions.

How does a credit check contribute to rental verification?

A credit check assesses a tenant's financial responsibility and history of debt management. It provides insights into their ability to make consistent rent payments.

What should tenants expect during the rental verification process?

Tenants should expect to provide detailed information about their rental history, employment, and personal references. They may also need to consent to background and credit checks.

How long does the rental verification process usually take?

The rental verification process can take anywhere from a few days to a week. The time frame depends on how quickly previous landlords, employers, and references respond.

Can a tenant's application be denied based on rental verification results?

Yes, if the rental verification reveals issues such as poor rental history, insufficient income, or a negative background check, a landlord may deny the application. Landlords seek tenants who meet their reliability and financial criteria.

Can tenants improve their chances of passing rental verification?

Yes, tenants can improve their chances by maintaining good rental history, stable employment, and strong references. Being honest and providing complete information also helps.

What should landlords ask previous landlords during rental verification?

Landlords should ask about the tenant's payment punctuality, property care, behavior, and any issues during the tenancy. This helps gauge the tenant's reliability and suitability.

How do landlords verify employment information?

Landlords verify employment information by contacting the tenant's current and previous employers. They confirm job titles, employment duration, and income to assess stability.