Massachusetts Tenant Background Check

What Background Checks Cover

A thorough background check can give you peace of mind, thanks to the wealth of information it provides about your applicants. Here’s what you can expect to find on a tenant background check in Massachusetts:

Criminal History

Massachusetts is one of several states where credit bureaus do not include criminal history in background checks. You may need to request this information separately, in accordance with applicable legal guidelines.

Credit History

A tenant background check Massachusetts landlords use can reveal an applicant’s overall credit health, including:

• Credit score: A snapshot of financial reliability.
• Lines of credit and inquiries: Show current debt load and credit-seeking behavior.
• Debt in collections: A potential red flag that may indicate financial strain.

Eviction History

TurboTenant checks over 27 million eviction records across all 50 states. Reports can include nonpayment, money judgments, unlawful detainers, and other similar issues. Massachusetts courts may seal some eviction records under a recent tenant protection law.

Rental History

An applicant’s rental history will reveal their previous addresses and landlords, which they can use to verify information.

Income Verification/Fraud Detection

Income verification helps landlords ensure tenants can consistently pay rent. TurboTenant’s Pro plan uses Snappt to authenticate income and employment while catching fraud with 99.8% precision.

References

You’re legally allowed to contact employers, previous landlords, and personal references to get a complete picture of the applicant.

Federal Tenant Background Check Laws

Running a tenant background check in Massachusetts is a smart move, but only when done by the book. Whether you own a triple-decker in Worcester or a rental condo in Cambridge, federal regulations apply. Here’s what they mean for you:

Fair Credit Reporting Act: One requirement of the FCRA is to get consent for a background check. If you deny an applicant, you must issue an adverse action notice that outlines the issue and the reporting agency.

Fair Housing Act: The FHA prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. You must apply your screening criteria and issue your rental application form consistently across all applicants.

HUD Guidelines: HUD guidelines strongly discourage blanket bans on criminal records. Landlords can’t use arrests without convictions as the sole reason for denial. Instead, assess each applicant individually and base decisions on the nature and timing of any convictions.

Massachusetts Laws

From Boston’s historic brownstones to Springfield’s growing rental market, landlords across the Bay State need to follow local law when screening tenants. A tenant background check in Massachusetts can give you peace of mind, but only if it aligns with both federal guidelines and Massachusetts-specific regulations. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Criminal history: In Massachusetts, landlords can consider an applicant’s criminal history, but only under specific guidelines. When conducting a tenant background check in Massachusetts, you cannot exclude an applicant solely on their criminal record.

Fair Chance Housing: Massachusetts has laws in place to help ensure that everyone has fair and equal access to housing, regardless of background or history.

State-specific Fair Housing additions: Massachusetts has laws in place that prohibit discrimination based on certain factors, including source of income, sexual orientation, marital status, and more.

Reusable tenant screening reports: Some states permit reusable tenant screening reports, but not all. Given that the legal landscape is constantly evolving, it is essential to stay up-to-date with local laws to ensure compliance.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Running a tenant background check in Massachusetts is the first step; knowing how to read the results is where the real decision-making begins. As a Massachusetts landlord, you’re not just screening for income or credit; you’re protecting your investment, your neighbors, and your peace of mind.

Late payments or collections: Late payments or debt in collections can be signs of financial distress or mismanagement, indicating a tenant may not be able to pay their rent.

History of evictions: Evictions are a long, inconvenient process that landlords and tenants should work together to avoid.

Unverifiable income: If income is unverifiable, you have no way of knowing whether the applicant can afford the rent.

Inconsistent rental history: Watch for gaps, frequent moves, or short-term stays when reviewing applications.

Criminal charges: Review any criminal history carefully during the screening process, and ensure that your procedure complies with all applicable laws.

How To Legally Run a Background Check

We understand that running a tenant background check in Massachusetts can feel overwhelming. Here are the steps to ensure your tenant screening process is compliant.

1. Get written permission: First, get written consent.
2. User verified tenant background check service: Working with TurboTenant helps you make informed decisions.
3. Verify tenant identity and SSN: Always request identification to verify identity. TurboTenant tenant background checks enable tenants to enter the information themselves and help landlords avoid asking for sensitive information.
4. Review reports: Once your applicant’s background check is complete, review the reports and the information.
5. Check for evictions or criminal history: Review reports for previous evictions or criminal history, as these can be red flags.
6. Evaluate based on consistent criteria: Apply the same consistent and fair criteria to all applications.
7. Send an Adverse Action Notice if rejecting: If rejecting an applicant, send them an adverse action notice, including the information you found in the background check and the source.
8. Use TurboTenant to streamline this entire process. We make the process seamless and easy, from start to finish.