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usually it's hard for a private landlord to get a credit report.

I would call and speak with the past 3 landlords.

I would review their past 3 months bank statements to verify that they have savings.

I would review their past tax return to verify income.

I would have a good lease.

I would look at their car. If it's a mess inside, then this is the way they live. If there is still concern, visit where they live now to see how they keep the place up.

I would never rent to anyone unless their total rent payment each month is NO MORE then 25% of their gross income each month. This means they can afford it.

They should have at least 3 months of rent in savings. This means they are NOT living pay check to pay check.

I have the renter fill out an app BEFORE I verify. This way, I can see if they are telling the truth.

You call previous landlords and ask for references on how they were as a tenant, did they have any problems with them, did they pay on time, did they receive their security deposit in full? What was the condition of the unit when they moved out? Did they leave the unit clean? Did they provide proper notice to vacate or where they evicted? A former landlord will tell you whether or not they were happy with them as renters, they will tell you if they were terrible renters and that they broke the lease and paid late all the time.

How they were with previous landlords will be how they are with you. If the last landlord was happy to see them go then you will have the exact same issues.

You can also do a credit check but in this economy I'd be surprised if someone had good credit and just because they have lousy credit doesn't mean they won't pay their rent on time. My sister has the worst credit ever but she pays her rent on time every month even though she struggles as a single parent. A reference check with a previous landlord will tell you more than a credit check will.

Be sure to do a criminal background check too, last thing you want to do is be the one who allowed a known pedophile to move into the neighborhood.

What you would want to do is ask for current employment and background jobs. NO FRIENDS for refs. There is not a whole lot besides meeting the person in person and making a decision based on their character.

Don't think you can check to much about them if its done through a Estate Agent they are able to check there credit file and check there place of work.The only thing is you have to pay to go through Estate agents.

Most landlords use commercial screening services that specialize in this.

They do credit checks and make sure your not a crackhead

do a background check and credit check.