Landlords use application fees to cover the costs of processing an application, such as running a credit check. You won't be able to run a background check on any applicant until you get that signed consent form.Landlords are generally required to obtain written consent from tenants or prospective tenants before obtaining a consumer report, including a background check. Under federal law, a landlord who denies your tenant application because of information in a tenant screening report is required to inform you of that fact. The Federal Credit Reporting Act requires tenants to give written consent before the landlord can conduct a background check. Com is what you are looking for. Consent for Background Checks: Landlords in Maryland must obtain written consent from applicants before conducting credit and criminal background checks. A Housing Provider can ask for a full application if they want to, with full credit check, background, etc. Not all landlords and property managers do credit checks online. If the applicant didn't meet your criteria during the tenant screening, you can write or email your decision to reject their rental application.