

Why Tenant Screening is Essential in New Mexico
New Mexico landlords face a variety of challenges, from ensuring timely rent payments to navigating tenant protections. Tenant screening helps minimize risks, such as financial instability or prior evictions, while providing a legal framework for better tenant selection. AmerUSA delivers customized solutions for landlords across Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, tailored to New Mexico’s legal requirements.
Whether you manage a single property or a large portfolio, our services provide the tools and insights you need to make confident rental decisions.
New Mexico Tenant Screening Services
- Credit Reports: Access tenant credit scores, payment history, and outstanding obligations instantly to evaluate their financial reliability.
- Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive multi-state searches, including New Mexico records, to identify any felony or misdemeanor history (where legally permissible).
- Eviction Records: Search New Mexico court records for eviction filings and judgments to identify prior rental issues.
New Mexico Landlord-Tenant Laws
- Security Deposits: Landlords may charge a security deposit up to one month’s rent. For leases longer than one year, higher deposits are allowed. Deposits must be returned within 30 days of lease termination.
- Eviction Notices: A 3-day written notice is required for non-payment of rent before landlords can file for eviction in court.
- Late Fees: Late fees are permissible but must be included in the lease agreement and cannot exceed 10% of the rent.
- Abandoned Property: Landlords must store abandoned belongings for 30 days before disposal, after providing written notice to the tenant.
Resources for New Mexico Landlords
- New Mexico Courts – Access legal forms and eviction resources.
- New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority – Resources for landlords and housing programs.
- National Association of Residential Property Managers – Best practices and tools for managing properties in New Mexico.
- New Mexico Association of Realtors – Legal updates and property management resources.
- Law Help New Mexico – Free legal guidance for landlord-tenant matters.
FAQs for New Mexico Landlords
- Do I need tenant consent to perform a background check? Yes, New Mexico law requires a prospective tenant’s consent for background checks.
- Can I charge an application fee? Yes, landlords can charge an application fee, but it must be reasonable and reflect actual costs incurred.
- What should I do if a tenant refuses consent for a background check? Without consent, landlords cannot legally proceed with background checks. It’s common for landlords to seek other applicants at that point.
- How quickly are reports available? Most reports are available instantly, with some criminal records taking up to 3-5 business days.
- Does AmerUSA verify rental history? No, AmerUSA does not contact landlords as part of its tenant screening services, but reported addresses are disclosed on credit reports.
Get Started Today
Streamline your tenant screening process with AmerUSA’s reliable tools. Protect your investment and screen tenants in New Mexico today!