Background checks in CA

[Fence Dweller]

Is there a limit to the information retrieved on background checks on renters in CA? How far back the check goes. What is records are searched?

Employment only goes back 7 years unless you have a higher clearance occupation.

[erinak]

Newbie here. What's CA? I am intrigued. Cheers

[Fence Dweller]

I should’ve put California

[erinak]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Memphis Turnkey Property]

Why do you care fence dweller? What is the critical info? In Memphis we focus on employment and criminal but ignore bankruptcies. 3 to 5 years back is plenty. What are you looking for to pick a tenant?

[Fence Dweller]

How far do they go?

Why do you care fence dweller? What is the critical info? In Memphis we focus on employment and criminal but ignore bankruptcies. 3 to 5 years back is plenty. What are you looking for to pick a tenant?

I'm a Housing Specialist, but I was a property manager for 12 years. I never ran criminal backgrounds as a PM. Now, I locate housing for others and I had a client that got into trouble in the 90s, and it doesn't seem relevant now. He's a senior, served in the armed forces after he was done being a hooligan. Essentially reformed. I want to know what will come back on a background check. I have to eliminate all barriers as I work in San Diego with a 1-2% vacancy rate. Competition is fierce.

Employment, they can only go back 7 years and usually the question is just that, "Have you been charged/convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in the last 7 years?". I can find nowhere in property management literature that lists restrictions or time frames. If it will come up, I'd like to get ahead of it. If not, I don't see why I have to disclose an act 25 years ago. Just as you wouldn't on an employment application.

It seems over-reaching and invasion of privacy that a property management background search can retrieve lifetime records. Even CFOs background searches only go back 10 years.