The landlords wont accept your own credit reports. No, you cannot run a credit check on a potential tenant without their permission.You may undergo either a hard credit check or a soft credit check for a rental application, depending on the screening service your landlord uses. A landlord is prohibited from charging an applicant for a credit or background check if they fail to provide the applicant with a copy. Most lenders or landlords will require a certain minimum FICO score for you to be approved for a loan or an apartment. The first step to performing a check credit is to get your permission. Credit checks: Here again, written consent is required. If you have a low credit score, you can raise it before filling out the application completely. This can include conducting credit checks, criminal background checks, or obtaining eviction records all within legal boundaries. Tenants now have more rights when it comes to renewing their leases in New York.