Posted: July 12, 2021
Verifying a tenant’s income and employment is an essential part of the tenant screening process. Most landlords and property managers order a tenant credit report, background check, and eviction search using StarPoint Screening and then complete an employment verification on their own. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure you get the information you need as quickly as possible.
When can I contact my rental applicant’s previous employer?
Once your applicant has filled out a rental application and you have signed authorization to obtain past employment, credit data, and public record information, you may begin the screening process.
What information can I ask my applicant about their employment history?
You can ask your rental applicant the following:
- Previous company name
- Supervisor’s name
- Position at the company
- Salary
- Dates of Employment
- Phone number to the Supervisor or HR Department
What Question should you ask the tenant’s previous employer?
Most states have laws on what you can and cannot ask a previous employer. You should always check your states laws and guidelines when screening a potential tenant. With that said here is a sample conversion you can have with the supervisor or HR personnel:
Hi I’m calling to complete an employment verification on a prospective tenant. May I speak to (whomever they put as their supervisor) or someone in your HR or Payroll Department?
- Hi I was calling to confirm (applicant’s name) works for you at (Company Name)
- Is his position (Position Name given)?
- Did (applicant’s name) work for you from mm/dd/yyyy and is he still working for you?
- He said his salary is $50,000 annually. Can you confirm that this is accurate?
- Do you have any additional comments about (applicant’s name)? (usually they don’t because that is all they are allow to tell us)
What happens if you cannot reach your applicant’s employer or they do not call you back?
You should always leave a message with your applicant’s employer and ask to speak to the appropriate party. After a few attempts are made and you still do not receive a response you should check your state and local laws about collecting an extra month’s rent or security deposit. You can also refer to the tenant credit report to see how well they manage their credit accounts, or you can obtain the last two pay stubs from your applicant.
Always document your screening process and save the rental application with signed authorization for 5-7 years for future reference.