Why Should You Get a Background Check Before Renting?

[Alexia Duffy]

I’ve seen a few threads about background check tools and services but not many on the why behind using them. If you’ve ever used a background check whether you were hiring someone, renting out property, meeting someone from a marketplace or anything else what was your reason for doing it and did it actually help you make a better decision?

I’m considering running a few for tenant screening but also wondering if it's worth doing them for other situations.

 

[Sariah Daugherty]

I run background checks on all potential tenants after a bad experience years ago. One guy had multiple evictions I would’ve never found otherwise.

 

[Turner Norton]

I used one when hiring a dog walker. Might sound excessive but they’d have access to my house. Found a theft charge hard pass.

 

[Kylee Bowman]

I do background checks for all marketplace meetups now. Ever since someone tried to scam me with a fake item, I started being cautious.

 

[Alice Baldwin]

For rentals, it’s not just about criminal history. I want to know if someone has a pattern of unpaid bills or evictions.

 

[Jaiden Coffey]

I’ve used background checks for roommates. You don’t really know someone until you live with them or until you check their history.

 

[Paola Sullivan]

I’ve used beenverified to screen contractors before letting them into my house. Too many scams going around these days.

 

[tokyo]

I’ve used background check tools a couple of times—once when hiring a babysitter and another when renting out a room. For me, it’s about peace of mind. I wanted to verify identity, check for any red flags, and feel more confident in my decision. In both cases, the reports were helpful—one even revealed inconsistencies that led me to choose someone else. It’s not about mistrust but being cautious, especially when safety or property is involved. I definitely think it helped me make more informed, responsible decisions in those situations.

 

[fernixkie333]

I started doing background checks after getting burned by a tenant who skipped out on rent and left a mess. Now I use TurboTenant, it handles the screening part pretty smoothly and gives a full report on evictions, credit, and criminal history. It’s not foolproof, but it definitely helps spot red flags before things go sideways.

 

[morelz929]

For renting, it's mainly about protecting your property and making sure you don't end up with someone who has a history of evictions or unpaid rent. It doesn't guarantee a perfect tenant, but it gives you some peace of mind before handing over keys