INTERNATIONAL TENANT SCREENING: Tips, Tools, & Best Practices

Are you an owner, property manager, or leasing agent struggling to screen international renters? As the world becomes more connected, it's increasingly common for leasing professionals to receive interest in their properties from renters who don’t have a United States credit history. However, many challenges come with assessing the creditworthiness and background of prospective tenants from other countries. The process can seem overwhelming, from language barriers to difficulty obtaining financial and employment records.

In this article, we will walk you through the exact process to follow to screen international renters effectively. We'll show you the tools and services available to assist you and provide tips on how to screen reliably so you can feel confident with your approval. Get ready to confidently and efficiently screen international tenants for your properties!

What are International Tenant Screening Services?

International tenant screening services offer background checks and credit reports for potential renters that are new to the U.S. and do not have a U.S. credit history. These services can help leasing professionals assess potential tenants' creditworthiness and financial stability.

The screening process generally involves checking the individual's employment and credit history, legal record, and rental history. International tenant screening services can help reduce the risk of fraud and minimize the risk of legal liability for leasing professionals.

Why Use International Tenant Screening Services?

It’s important to screen all potential tenants, regardless of where they lived previously. International screening services provide comprehensive background checks, credit checks, and other reports that help ensure that the applicant is likely to be a reliable renter. These services help housing providers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes when renting properties. Using a reliable screening service will help you determine if an applicant is likely to be a reliable renter, even if they don’t have U.S. credit history.

How to Do International Tenant Screening

The screening process for international applicants or people who are new to the U.S. isn’t dramatically different than screening U.S.-based applicants. The main difference is that international applicants typically don’t have a U.S. rental or credit history. However, you can work around these challenges with the right processes and tools in place.

The steps for doing international tenant screening include:

1. Ask the applicant to complete an online rental application
2. Verify the applicant’s identification using their passport or other documentation
3. Conduct a credit check through an international credit reporting agency
4. Verify the applicant’s employment and income by contacting their employer
5. Obtain references and verify rental history by contacting previous landlords
6. Review all application information, documentation, and verifications to determine whether the applicant is qualified

Keep in mind that these prospective tenants have basic protections under Federal Fair Housing law under the protected class, “National Origin.” Washington state and many local laws expand on these protections and prohibit denial based on the absence of a social security number.

How to Screen Tenants Without a Social Security Number

Screening tenants without a U.S. social security number (SSN) can be a bit more challenging than screening tenants with an SSN. However, it is not impossible.

Some options include:

•  Use a government-issued ID such as a passport, ID card, or driver's license to confirm identity
• Obtain credit reports from international bureaus or their home country
• Use alternative credit scoring services that take into account the prospective tenant's payment history on bills like utilities and rent

Tools Make International Tenant Screening Easier

International tenant screening is easier today than ever before. With software and services built specifically for international screening, you can remove unnecessary friction from the screening process and collect all the information you need.

Intellirent integrates with Nova Credit, a consumer credit bureau specializing in international residents. This integration will allow you to screen international tenants using your standard process.

The prospective renter submits an application online, and our software goes to work checking identity, validating supporting documentation, and verifying employment and residential history. There are no additional fees or hassles for agents.

7 Tips for Effective International Tenant Screening

While international tenant screening is 100% possible, it does require a little extra attention and consideration. These tips will help you avoid frustrating surprises and setbacks, and facilitate a seamless screening process.

1. Communicate Proactively
   Be upfront and transparent with the prospective tenant. Explain your rental policies, criteria, and screening process. Address any concerns they may have.
2. Consider Cultural Differences
   Keep in mind that people who were raised in another culture may be accustomed to different communication styles and preferences. Stay patient and respectful as you navigate cultural differences.
3. Check for Fraudulent Activity
   Verify the applicant’s identity, international addresses, and background information. Use Intellirent to validate documentation to ensure there hasn’t been tampering.
4. Use a Translation Service
   If the applicant’s documents or employment information are in a foreign language, use a translation service like Gengo or Google Translate to help you understand the information. Note: Do not use these tools to provide translated legal documents like leases and notices to your prospects or tenants. Legal documents should only be translated by professional legal translation services. Best practice: leave translations up to the prospect or tenant.
5. Ask for a Guarantor
   If the applicant has no rental history in the U.S., consider asking for a guarantor who will co-sign the lease. A guarantor, or cosigner, takes on the responsibility of ensuring the rent will be paid consistently. This reduces the risk for the property owner.
6. Meet Face-to-Face
   Schedule an in-person showing with the applicant to get to know them and gauge their character. This can also help you verify their identity and ensure that the information they have provided is accurate.
7. Stay Up-to-Date with International Laws
   Stay informed about international laws and regulations regarding tenant screening. Make sure to comply with all laws and regulations when screening international tenants. Take advantage of RHAWA’s education and support center articles to stay up to date.

Leverage the Most Reliable International Tenant Screening Service

Utilizing an international tenant screening service allows you to reliably screen tenants who don’t have a U.S. rental history without worrying about getting the right information. By following a robust screening process and leveraging the right tools, you can feel confident that you’re making an informed decision. RHAWA’s new screening partner Intellirent has Leasing Tools that integrate natively with Nova Credit, providing a seamless screening process for international applicants. With a comprehensive screening process, user-friendly interface, and reliable data, Intellirent makes international tenant screening faster, easier, and more reliable.

If you’d like to see how Intellirent can serve your international tenant screening needs, schedule a product tour. We’ll walk you through the exact process that you’ll follow to confidently screen any prospective tenant. Start screening international tenants today with Intellirent!