Most of the time, when a landlord has an issue with a tenant (particularly nonpayment of rent), the landlord can point to an exception made in the screening process or a failure in the screening process.

When you screen applicants are you doing the following:

• Using a rental application?
• Checking References?  Both employment and prior landlord references?
• Running a credit check or requiring the applicant to bring a copy of their credit report with the application?
• Taking your time?
• Running a criminal background search?
• Using Vermont Court Search (it is free with your membership)?
• Checking the Civil Court Records - using the VT Courts Online or Chittenden County website?

While there is not a 100% guarantee that using these methods will eliminate tenant issues, they can greatly reduce potential problems and are meant to help flush out tenants who damage property or do not pay their rent.