A Guide to Tenant Verification Process

The tenant verification process is essential when renting any property. But many of them don't know what the process involves in this verification what all involved in this process. Let's learn more about it.

While renting out your property, it is your duty as a landowner to verify the tenant. Verifying the tenant's identification is vital while renting your property because it gives security and surety against fraud and other wrong practices. Additionally, it guarantees that the tenant will abide by the rules and regulations mentioned in the tenancy agreement and that there won't be any payment failures.

Due to the increased population and urbanisation, India hasn't had as much land to develop new properties, which has significantly contributed to the lack of affordable housing. As a result, more buyers are choosing to rent flats. It is essential to ensure that the identification of the tenant by the police is completed beforehand. To ensure no problems when renting a residence, the government has established the tenant police verification procedure, which comes under the tenant verification process.

What is Tenant Verification?

Landlords can request tenant verification from the local police. Through numerous background checks, the process aids in confirming the identification of tenants. The procedure ensures that the tenant renting the property has no prior misconduct record. Tenant verification also ensures public safety by avoiding unauthorised and dishonest property deals. The tenant verification process is through which the landlord keeps checking the tenant's background by submitting their identification to the police for verification.

This verification's main objective is to keep fraud neighbours and offenders out of rental properties. Despite these reasons, the district police can preserve a full record of those who relocate from their native lands to other places. Verification submissions can make online and offline, and the parties' mutual comfort will determine the submission mode.

Is Tenant Verification Different from Background Check?

You need to know the tenants you will be acquiring as a landowner. It's essential to keep in mind that you must generate income lawfully to ensure everything runs smoothly without causing unnecessary stress. One goes through a background check as part of the rental procedure for their protection. To be sure, tenant police identification is an additional step in this procedure and is essential.

Tenant Verification Process

The tenant verification procedure can be divided into two steps:

• Tenant identification and background investigation
• Police check for tenant.

These steps are essential for tenant verification. Hence, a thorough knowledge of each is required.

Tenant Identification and Background Investigation

The tenant's private and professional information is checked and verified as part of the self-assurance process. The tenant identification process also examines the renter's past performance and ability to pay rent.

• Personal Information - Name, household members, current residence, prior residence, references, and other essential information
• Professional Information - such as work status, office location, contact information for previous coworkers, income potential, obligations, etc.
• Past Residential History - References from prior landlords, a history of on-time rent payments, defaults, etc.
• Additional Information - Potential, future move, legal obligations, etc.

Police Check for Verification

Following are the steps for police verification

• The verification form can be obtained online or from the local police station.
• Fulfil the required information asked in the form for the tenant and landlord.
• Include a passport-size photograph
• Submit details from voter ID, Aadhar card, ration card, passport, and driver's license.
• Properly signed form.
• Following the submission of the form, save the acknowledgement receipt.

Documents Required for Tenant Verification Process

Criminal responsibility for any illegal behaviour performed by the tenant on the landlord's property would fall on the landowner. Furthermore, if the property is given to a renter whose background is difficult to verify, your ability to generate rent from the property can be compromised entirely. Offering the property to such a person as a living place would be a serious mistake. Tenant identification becomes important in this situation. Following are the required documents to be submitted:-

• Identity Proof: The landlord and the tenant must provide verification proof. The Aadhar Card, Election Commission ID Card, Driving Licence, Passport, Ration Card, and other documents can use as identification proof. Each of these documents may be provided by both parties for verification needs.
• Address Proof: The landlord and the tenant must provide a copy of their proof of address, such as electricity bills.
• Ownership Proof: To prove that they have the right to rent the property, the landowner must present ownership proof.
• Electricity Bills: The tenant and the landlord can submit electricity bills as proof of residency. Additionally, before renting a property, these bills allow tenants to confirm that all fees have been paid.
• Rent Agreement: With the tenant's permission, the landlord must also make a contract for renting their property. While making an offline or online request for tenant verification, one must include a proper signature copy of the lease.
• Passport Size Photo: It must be provided by both the landlord and the tenant, so they may be attached to the tenant identification form.
• No-objection Certificate: When renting in a society or colony, it is advisable to check if there are any rules or regulations regarding visitors and pets. Interacting with other society members is the best way to be aware of prohibited behaviours.

Why is Tenant Verification Important?

No doubt, this is important for every landowner. For landowners, renting a property or several properties can be a significant source of earnings. However, selecting tenants is a procedure that needs to do with great caution. One of the most important steps to ensure that the tenant is trustworthy and maintains one's safety and peacefulness is to have the police verification.

Knowing the purposes of tenant verification before you begin is the right strategy.

• The police's involvement aids in stopping immoral and criminal activities like the production and sale of drugs.
• One can identify potential terrorists or mob members.
• It assists in locating foreign nationals who could reside after their agreements and visas expire.
• Due to the intervention of the police in the first place, the residential properties will stay safe and sound.
• If any criminal conduct happens, it is easier to find the tenant, and the owner is not held accountable for the offences.

Penalty for Breaching the Law in Property

One should not violate any law relevant to property laws. Tenant and landlord should follow damage of property by tenant and other rules.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) includes a provision that could result in the landowner being punished if the tenant breaches the law. A government official issues a disobedience command. In that situation, the offender shall be subject to a penalty under Section 188 of the IPC for disobedience announced by a public officer. In addition, the landowner might face a six months jail sentence, an Rs.1,000 fine, or both if the tenant turns out to be a danger to society.

Conclusion

A tenant verification process protects both parties if either party brings on any conflict or breach. It safeguards the landlord's property and secures tenants from the landlord's illegitimate claims. There are various steps to take before renting property, and this is because an individual is renting out his property to new tenants that one may or may not know.

The most important thing when renting out property is to abide by the applicable tenant verification rules. As the land owner, one must find out the tenant's background, both personally and professionally. one must determine the tenant's capability to pay while ensuring they won't be a problem to the community or the law. The background and history check is a safety mechanism one must take as part of the rental process.