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Has anybody here done a background check on anyone? I need to start preparing to do that soon, because I am planning on getting a new roommate in my NY apartment (my current one ended up being a thief, and I have served him with a 30 day eviction notice).

Anyway, there are a lot of sites out there that offer this service, but I'd like to know if any of you have used them, and which ones do you consider to be honest and reliable.

Cue, your best bet is to hire a private investigator who is a retired cop (preferablyone who was a detective). They can get information others can't (especially criminal activity). The other thing is to call references and ask about other people they both know and contact them. If they work, contact their employer and cehck on things such as how long with the company, promotions within etc. If they were military ask for their discharge papers (whether honourable or dishonourable).

Having said all this, and everything comes back clean, doesn't mean the person is clean but chances are they are. Spending a little now can save you plenty in the long run. Unfortunately there are no guarantees. Good luck.

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Tim, I do not believe that hiring a private detective would be feasible for me with regard to interviewing potential new roommates. That would be extremely costly. As for contacting an employer, the only information that I would be able to obtain is whether or not the person is employed with the company, and for what length of time. Legally, companies do NOT give out any other information on their employees other than that. It is illegal for them to give out personal details of their work performance, etc...

Cueball - How about asking him for his previous residences and contact numbers. If he has rented before those people can tell you what kind of renter he was. This way you only have to make a few phone calls instead of dipping into your wallet.

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That is a good suggestion, but one thing I've also learned... I know this is probably an extreme case but, references can be made up. A person can have his/her friends ready to accept phone calls on his/her behalf, and lie for him/her. By being given a phone number, I don't really know who I am speaking with.

Good point ! It might be worth asking though. If he gives you the name of an apartment complex you can look the number up in the phone book to avoid deception.

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I used to handle rentals for an apartment complex in New Orleans. On the application, they have to list their Social Security number and Driver's License number. I also have to see and verify their license.

There are a number of online venues such as YouCheckCredit.com that do tenant screening for a price. You can pass this on to your prospective tenant as an "application fee". If you want, you can tell them if they pass the check you'll apply that fee toward their first month's rent.

It's much more credible to check someone out via a third party credit bureau than calling their references...as has been said anyone can write down anything on an application.

Good luck!

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I'm the one who mentioned that basically anyone can write down anything on an application.

Have you used YouCheckCredit.com before (my concern is whether this ONLINE service is reliable)? I see that it does offer the other services that I would be interested in (such as Background Checks, Eviction Records, and Criminal Reports). I'm not really going to be as concerned with a person's personal credit history because I plan to ask for a 1 month security deposit (up front) as well as the 1st month's rent when he/she moves in.

Perhaps here is a place you might check as a start:
http://nysdocslookup.docs.state.ny.us/kinqw00

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If you want references, ask them to send you something on a letterhead. Say you'll pay them for the fax, or you can wait the couple days for the mail.

Granted that can be faked as well, but people have to go through a lot of trouble for that.