

Why Tenant Screening is Essential in New York
New York’s rental landscape is one of the most diverse and competitive in the country. From bustling urban centers like New York City to quieter upstate areas, landlords face unique challenges when selecting tenants. Tenant screening helps reduce the risks of late payments, property damage, and legal disputes.
AmerUSA provides specialized services tailored to meet the needs of New York landlords. Trusted by property owners in Manhattan, Buffalo, and Rochester, our screening tools ensure you can select reliable tenants while adhering to the complexities of state and local laws.
New York Tenant Screening Services
- Credit Reports: Instant access to tenant credit reports, including credit scores, payment histories, and debt obligations. Evaluate financial stability with confidence.
- Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive searches of New York and multi-state databases to uncover felonies, misdemeanors, and sex offender records (where available). Note: New York City landlords are subject to recent laws that limit how criminal records can be used in tenant screening.
- Eviction Records: Access eviction history to identify applicants with prior rental issues. Search New York court records for judgments and filings.
New York Landlord-Tenant Laws
- Security Deposits: Landlords of properties with six or more units must limit security deposits to one month’s rent and return deposits within 14 days of lease termination.
- Eviction Notices: For non-payment of rent, landlords must provide a 14-day written notice before initiating eviction proceedings.
- Rent Control and Stabilization: New York has strict rent regulation laws in certain areas, including rent control and rent stabilization, which limit rent increases and protect tenant rights.
- Criminal Record Usage: New York City prohibits the use of most criminal records during tenant screening until after a conditional lease offer is made.
- Abandoned Property: New York landlords are required to provide written notice before disposing of any abandoned property left behind by a tenant.
Resources for New York Landlords
- New York State Unified Court System – Eviction forms and landlord-tenant legal resources.
- New York State Homes and Community Renewal – Information on rent regulation and landlord resources.
- National Association of Residential Property Managers – Tools for property managers in New York.
- New York State Bar Association – Legal updates and landlord guidance.
- The Legal Aid Society – Resources for understanding landlord-tenant disputes.
FAQs for New York Landlords
- Are landlords required to get tenant consent for a background check? Yes, New York law requires written tenant consent before conducting any screening.
- What fees can I charge tenants during the application process? Application fees are capped at $20 under state law and must reflect the actual cost of background checks and credit reports.
- What are the restrictions on criminal record use in New York City? In NYC, landlords cannot consider criminal history during the initial tenant screening. Criminal checks can only occur after a conditional lease offer.
- Can landlords screen tenants for eviction records? Yes, landlords can access eviction history, but usage must comply with New York State tenant protection laws.
- How quickly are tenant screening reports available? Most reports are delivered instantly, with some criminal records taking 3-5 business days.
Get Started Today
Take the guesswork out of tenant screening and ensure compliance with New York’s unique laws and regulations. Let AmerUSA help you screen tenants with confidence!