Have you ever had a nagging doubt about a prospective tenant's ability to pay the rent and yet rented to that person anyway? You're not alone.

The majority of small landlords never run a credit check on a prospective tenant mainly because the service to do so hasn't been widely available or cost effective. Most apartment buildings managed by property management companies run credit checks on their prospects…so should you.

Every landlord, regardless of size, now has the ability to run a credit check the same way a bank does when you apply for a loan. You will see the same report your bank manager would receive, from the same reporting agencies, giving you the ability to make an informed decision. You will also have the option of checking a tenant's rental history to determine if there has ever been a judgement against the prospective tenant. The power is now in your hands.