Canadian Tenant Screening Credit and Criminal

Canadian Tenant Screening

Due to Canadian privacy laws, Canadian Tenant Screening differs from tenant screening in the U.S.

Canadians Buy in the U.S.

Even with the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, foreign buyers purchase a large share of residential properties.  According to The 2016 Profile of International Activity by the National Association of Realtors, buyers from China, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and Mexico are the top buyers of U.S. residential property.  Canadians are the second largest buyers.  The top five states for residential purchases were Florida, California, Texas, Arizona and New York.

Canadian Information Privacy Law

Canada is similar to the European Union when it comes to privacy and data protection.  Data privacy is strongly regulated. Unlike the U.S., credit reporting agencies cannot directly access an applicant’s personal information even with their signed consent.

Canadian Credit Reports

There are two credit bureaus in Canada:  Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada.  By law, credit information cannot be transferred to another country.  The credit history of a Canadian applicant cannot follow the applicant to the United States.  Therefore, you will want a Canadian credit report especially if the applicant has not resided in the U.S. or banked in the U.S.

Canadian Tenant Screening Credit Scores

You can receive a credit score with the Canadian credit report.  Credit scoring in Canada is similar to the U.S.

  FICO Credit Scores Range

  • USA: FICO Scores range from 300 to 850.
  • Canada: FICO Scores range from 300 to 900.

Canadian Criminal Searches

A Canadian applicant’s criminal records can be searched using their name and date of the birth.  Searches of the National Repository of Criminal Records are made via the Canadian Police Information Centre(CPIC).  This search will provide one of three responses:  A record appears to exist; there does not appear to be a record; or there appears to be a record that is consistent with the convictions that the applicant has declared.

Compliance in Canada

Identification Verification is required to complete a Canadian background check.  The two options are Electronic Identity Verification (EIV) and a Physical Identity Verification.  The EIV includes questions derived from the applicant’s credit history. If the applicant cannot complete the EIV, a Physical Identity Verification is the only approved alternative.

Canadian Tenant Screening

There are many benefits for using this online application.  The process is forgery proof, verifies the identity of the applicant and provides a secure transmission of their confidential information.  It is user friendly with results delivered within 2 days to the property manager or homeowner association. Lastly, the property manager does not have to assemble or scan paperwork.  The entire process is completed online.

Applycheck Canada Online

Applycheck provides Canadian tenant screening beginning with an email invite to the applicant.  The applicant completes the EIV process online in compliance with Canadian privacy and human rights laws.  A paper application is available for those who cannot complete the application online.  The application is available in both English and French. We provide Canadian credit reports, Canadian credit scores and Canadian criminal searches. See our Canadian tenant screening packages and prices.