How does one go about getting a credit check on prospective tenants?

Call your local Credit Bureau - They'll set you up with an account that will allow you to run Credit Reports. I have one for our rentals: the reports are only $3.50 apiece and a $100 annual fee.

You need to register yourself with credit check company. They are available online. You may want to try: Equifax or Credit Safe.

I would recommend Credit Safe over Equifax having used both.

What information will they need to open an account?

Thanks

Where are you based? Uk or USA??

Located in the USA

Try these sites.

http://www.equifax.com

http://www.experian.com/ - I have used this one as well and they are pretty good too.

All I had to give was my Company info including Tax ID #. Who is able to run consumers' credit reports is a highly regulated affair... so the requirement is that they verify that you are in a business that legitimately needs them.

The two links DJ gave are 2 of the three biggest reporters in the US. The other is www.transunion.com

I was in charge of credit checking and credit control at my last company!!