Moving into a new apartment is a big step, and it\u2019s a step that requires planning, an appropriate credit score, and sometimes even a clean criminal record. While there is a lot to worry about when going through an apartment check, it shouldn’t be something you\u2019re not prepared for, and plenty of tools exist today that can help you apply for your next apartment with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how far back do apartments check criminal records? The short answer is seven to ten years, but the long one is a bit more complicated. Fortunately, we\u2019re here to help. Read on to learn more about how far back apartment checks can go in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An apartment check is a background check that landlords run before allowing tenants to rent from them. Landlords run these checks to make sure dangerous people don’t live in their buildings and to make sure a tenant has a good enough credit rating to rent from them. Basic apartment checks will also verify someone’s identity using Social Security number (SSN) verification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, apartment checks also look at sex offender records, criminal records, and anything else that can indicate someone using a good fit for an apartment. In fact, many landlords can look in databases to find out where tenants used to live and contact their previous landlords to see if the tenants are a good fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the state, apartment checks can go far back, so it’s important to know what records are available in your state and for how long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No, some landlords may not run an apartment check. You’ll have better luck working with a private landlord if you want to skip the apartment check process. Even in those cases, private landlords can still use online background check tools or other tools to learn more about applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, landlords for large apartment complexes tend to run background checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apartment checks tend to go back seven to ten years for financial and criminal records. However, this depends on the state. In some states, like Texas, for example, felonies remain on someone’s criminal record indefinitely. Therefore, apartment checks can find felonies that are older than ten years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, most states have laws in place that prevent background checks from going back more than seven or ten years. Always make sure you check the state you plan on living in to determine how far back the check will go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s also important to note that apartment checks will check sex offender registries as well. These databases are handled differently, and some people have to list their names indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We go into more detail about what apartment checks look for down below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apartment checks look for a lot of information about a tenant. Landlords can run these checks before allowing a tenant to rent from them. Depending on the state, some criminal records, financial records, and sex offender information can be red flags and result in a tenant not being approved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, apartment checks are similar to pre-employment background checks and other similar record checks, so expect a lot of the same information to surface. Learn more about what apartments check for below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apartment checks look for criminal records. When a landlord runs an apartment check, they will look for criminal records, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aside from this information, some landlords will dig deeper if they come across criminal records. This means that they might request specific details down to the nature of the crime. Examples include the type of crime, the people involved in the crime, and how long ago the crime was committed. The type of crime can influence whether or not landlords will approve a tenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s always important to know what appears on your criminal record before you apply for an apartment to avoid being denied on your apartment check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Landlords will also check state and federal sex offender registries to see if your name is on one of the lists. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple offense like public indecency or something more serious like sexual assault; apartment checks will find this information and have every right to make a judgment based on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this reason, it’s important to make sure you\u2019re open and honest about your status in any of these registries. Also, for lesser sexual crimes, it may be possible to have your name removed from the registry; this can help you pass an apartment background check if enough time has passed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The time it takes is based on state and federal laws in reference to your specific crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most important things an apartment check looks for is someone’s financial records. Landlords will check a tenant\u2019s credit score to make sure they’re a good fit for renting. Credit scores above the 650 range tend to be less problematic than lower scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aside from credit scores, apartment checks will dig deeper into someone’s credit history. They will pull records for bankruptcies, delinquencies, property liens, and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While landlords can view these records before making a decision, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)<\/a>, they can only view credit information from the last seven years. After seven years, derogatory marks on your credit report will fall off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, we always recommend checking your credit records before applying. If something happened six years and one month ago, it’s worth it to wait 30 days before applying; it can be the difference between being approved or denied for a lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last but not least, landlords will look into your past addresses and rental history. Landlords can input information into databases to provide information about tenants that other landlords can view with an apartment check. Any past addresses you’ve lived at are fair game, but if you were in good standing with your previous landlord, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, we recommend looking into your past addresses to see what shows up. Any inconsistencies can result in delays in the apartment check process, and the last thing you want is a delay that costs you a new rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to prepare for a tenant background check is to check your criminal record. If you know that you committed a crime seven to ten years ago but aren’t sure about the exact date, it’s a good idea to know this information before applying. In fact, it can be the difference between approval and rejection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is that PublicRecord.com can help you find anything that’s publicly available. You can run a people search<\/a> on yourself to learn about your public records, which can include everything from sex offender status to your past address. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing this information is useful because it can alert you to any red flags that appear in your records. Once you know what might be an issue, you can speak with the landlord or try to fix inconsistencies before you go through an apartment check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also check your criminal records through the FBI database or request documents from local courthouses where crimes occurred. Depending on the databases, you may have to pay a fee. Additionally, some counties might not have online resources, so you may have to visit the location in person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend checking with our tool first before you request records. Doing so can point you in the right direction and prevent you from wasting your time and money. Once you have confirmed information about where your records are held, you can contact the courthouse and request a detailed transcript of the criminal records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you want to rent an apartment from a landlord, there is a good chance they’ll run a background check on you before you sign a lease. While this can be worrying at first, if you know what shows up on your records, you shouldn’t have to worry. Plus, in most states, landlords can only view criminal records that happened within seven to ten years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, any of our people search tools can help you prepare for an apartment background check. Not only can we help you during background checks, but we can also help you learn more about the apartment you\u2019re planning on living in. We can help you find out who lives at an address<\/a>, who used to live there, and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We always recommend learning more about an apartment before you decide to move there. After all, you\u2019re not the only one who should be under a microscope, so make sure you do your due diligence on the landlord\u2019s side.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Moving into a new apartment is a big step, and it\u2019s a step that requires planning, an appropriate credit score, and sometimes even a clean criminal record. 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How to Check Your Criminal Records <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Be Ready for an Apartment Background Check Today <\/h2>\n\n\n\n