Credit Reports Galore - denied free experian equifax

Sally asked:


Hey Landlords —

Was wondering if anyone could suggest a site that is good for doing online credit checks on tenants. There are so many sites out there that offer them; I’m not sure exactly what I’m getting. Obviously, I want to get all three reporting agencies (if feasible), and I want a low price. I’ve seen the price on credit checks range from $9.95 to $29.99. What is reasonable?

Any specific Web sites anyone could point me to? Can you get the reports directly through the reporting agencies? It seems like most of these Web sites I’m finding are third parties. What would be the benefit of using a third party site?

I’m a new landlord. I’ve had no problem requesting my own credit report in the past; but this seems to be a totally different process. Please help!
By the way; I’ve received rental applications which have all the essential information like DOB, drivers license number, social security and all that. They have signed the applications which include consenting to a credit check.
But, no I don’t have their mothers maiden names or anything.

EMILE

ArLorax asked:


I am looking to buy properties in Ohio to start renting, but don’t know how to get credit reports on people or to find out if they have stiffed other landlords. Also, what is a good credit report threshold to use for renting? Should I go by a minimum score (say 600) or go by percentage of rent to income (say rent can’t be more than 25% of their monthly income or something to that effect)?

GROVER

Mike Clover asked:


What is in a credit report? A credit report is a snapshot of your current obligations to creditors. These creditors include credit card companies, mortgage companies, banks, and retail stores. Lenders are permitted by law to check your credit report and review it in order to determine whether or not to grant credit to you. In order to build a credit report all you have to do is establish credit in the form of a bank loan, credit card account, car loan, mortgage, or studen loan. Information on your credit report comes directly from your history with accounts you currently have outstanding loans with. Whether you pay your obligations on time or not, lenders will report that information to the credit bureaus. There are four categories.

1. Your personal information: Your credit report identifies you will the following information.

” Your name

” Social Security number

” Current address ” Previous address

” Birth date

” Current employer and previous employers

” Phone number

2. Your credit history: Your credit history will show your payment history with current lenders such as:

” Credit Card companies

” Mortgage companies

” Retail stores

” Finance companies

3. Inquiries: This is where lenders are finance companies have requested your credit report. The rule of thumb is the less inquiries the better.

4. Public Records: Your credit report lists any obligations that may affect your credit including the following:

” Judgments

” Tax Liens

” Bankruptcies

Credit Reports are now available to any organization that is trying to grant you credit, or a company considering hiring you. Your personal credit report is so important during this day and age that you need to have a current copy to see what they are seeing. Even landlords are pulling credit in order to grant you permission to rent from them. With all this in mind, it is highly recommended that you have recent copy of your credit report, so that you are aware whats being reported in regards to your personal credit history. Most of the companies that provide credit reports, dont understand credit, they just sell you a credit report.There are also websites that offer a credit report for Free but fail to mention that you will not get a free credit score. Make sure when you obtain a copy of your credit report it comes with all 3 reports and score. It makes no sense to get copy of your credit report without your scores since creditors look heavily at your credit scores. Remember “your Credit is your Life.”



ERNIE