Running a background check on a new tenant is something that you, as a landlord, must do if you don't want any troubles with the neighbors, payment or even the police.
Online investigation websites are the best way to do it because it's cheap and fast.
Some of the people prefer the usual public databases to check the background of their tenants and this way is also good.
But their databases are not always updated to the moment and you will have to wait some time! With online investigation services the results are instant and the database is updated on daily basis.
Without a background check you are giving your property to someone you know nothing about him.
If you already have an experience with problematic tenants you won't think twice, but if you don't I guess you'll have to experience it on your own skin.
Tenants who ruin your property and not paying you for months can be avoided easily.
Also don't forget the neighbors.
If you will hire your place to young guys who will party every day and smoke drugs there - your neighbors will call the 911 and you will be in troubles! After running a background check on the new tenant you will get a lot of information such as financial problems and criminal record! Not all the websites are the same and while you will get all the information on some of them, you won't get more then an address on others! Make sure they have an updated database and they are giving all the information you need.
Also go for websites who promises a full refund if you aren't satisfied!