Orange Park, Florida's cost of living, which, according to PayScale.com, is 9% lower than the average nationwide, beckons to renters and property investors alike. Almost everything, from transportation to utilities and housing, is slightly cheaper here.
However, although Orange Park may be an ideal place to invest in rental real estate, it doesn't automatically guarantee your success as a landlord. You must still do your due diligence and implement a comprehensive tenant background check process.
Our team of experts at PMI Davis Realty has shared insights into the essential steps of the tenant screening process, so please read on.
Know Your Rights
As an Orange Park landlord, you have the right to protect your property and financial security by selecting quality and reliable tenants. Tenant screening, also called rental application background check, is a strategy that helps you achieve this goal by providing you insights into an applicant's:
- Ability to pay rent through income and employment verification
- Creditworthiness (including the likelihood of paying rent on time) through a tenant credit report check
- Responsibleness as a renter (e.g., paying rent on time or being a good neighbor) through a rental history and landlord reference check
- Likelihood of being a danger to property and others via a criminal background check
All those different checks are crucial to proper tenant selection, so please complete all of them. You can shoulder the cost of the screening reports, although you can also charge them as part of your rental application fees.
Understand the Florida Fair Housing Act (FHA)
Just as you have the right to screen tenants, you must also screen them using processes that adhere to the Florida FHA (Florida Statutes Title XLIV, Chapter 760). The FHA prohibits landlords from refusing rental applications based on the applicant's:
- Color
- National origin
- Race
- Familial status
- Handicap
- Religion
- Sex
Under section 760.34 of the FHA, those found to have violated the act may face penalties of $10,000 up to $50,000, depending on the number of violations.
Partner With PMI Davis Realty
If you don't have time to familiarize yourself with Florida's rental and screening laws or are too busy to conduct all the checks, consider outsourcing the process to a full-service property management company. For instance, PMI Davis Realty offers screening services as part of our tenant placement and rental management services. If you hire us, you have the guarantee that we'll find you a high-quality tenant within 21 days; if we can't, we'll waive your first month of management fees!
Outsource Your Tenant Background Check Process to PMI Davis Realty
As crucial as performing a comprehensive tenant background check is, it's a sensitive procedure riddled with legal complexities. For this reason, it's often best to leave the job to professional property managers.
Let PMI Davis Realty's comprehensive services handle all your rental management needs in Orange Park, FL. We can take on most of your duties and chores, from tenant screening to placement, lease agreement verification, contract signing, lease enforcement, and property maintenance. We're a locally owned and operated firm, but we're also proud to be part of PMI, a larger franchise that has been changing the property management industry for the better in the last 20+ years.
Connect with us today for a complimentary property analysis and consultation!
