Do background check on a landlord in CA? (rental, credit check, record)

[ulenie]

I am looking to rent a room from a person that has a 2b/2b condo in San Diego and they want to do background and credit check on me. I understand they have a right to that, what are my rights to do background check on the person since I will be living with him/her?

[DowntownVentura]

It is voluntary each way. You volunteered to have your background checked. You kind of have to because finding a rental without a background check is tough.

You can just as easily ask the landlord if he would give you his credentials to do a background check. I don't know how successful you would be though. You probably won't find too many landlords that will give up their personal info.

[mricu]

The easiest thing you can do is search your county's records for the property you are going to rent. See if there are any Notice of Defaults, or how many times the same owner was issued a title (usually happens when re-financing or taking out a loan on the mortgage).

No need for their personal info except for the address of the property.