📞Why Tenant Screening Matters
Selecting the right tenant is the most critical decision in property management. Our rigorous screening process protects your investment by identifying financially stable, responsible tenants with excellent rental histories. With a 98% tenant retention rate and average tenancy of 3+ years, our screening methodology sets the industry standard.
Tenant Retention Rate
Average Years Tenancy
Screening Turnaround
Our 7-Point Screening Process
1. Credit Report Analysis
We pull full credit reports from all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and analyze credit scores, payment history, debt-to-income ratios, and any red flags like collections or bankruptcies. Minimum credit score requirement of 650, with exceptions considered based on compensating factors.
What We Check:
- Full tri-merge credit report
- Credit score verification (650+ preferred)
- Payment history analysis (on-time payments)
- Debt-to-income ratio calculation
- Outstanding collections review
- Bankruptcy and foreclosure history
- Credit inquiries assessment
2. Employment & Income Verification
We verify stable employment and sufficient income to afford rent. Standard requirement is gross monthly income of 3x the rent amount. We contact employers directly, review pay stubs, and verify W-2s or 1099s for self-employed applicants.
What We Check:
- Direct employer verification call
- Employment start date confirmation
- Current income verification
- 3x rent income requirement
- Recent pay stub review (2 most recent)
- Tax returns for self-employed
- Bonus/commission income stability check
- Alternate income sources (alimony, investments)
3. Rental History Check
We contact previous landlords for the past 3-5 years to verify rental history, payment patterns, property condition, lease compliance, and reason for moving. We look for consistent on-time payments, no lease violations, and positive landlord relationships.
What We Check:
- Contact 2-3 previous landlords
- Verify rental payment history
- Check for late payments or evictions
- Property condition at move-out
- Lease term compliance
- Noise complaints or violations
- Reason for moving verification
- Re-rent recommendation from landlord
4. Criminal Background Screening
Comprehensive nationwide criminal background check including county, state, and federal records. We screen for felonies, misdemeanors, sex offender registry, and violent crimes. Each case is evaluated individually in compliance with Fair Housing laws.
What We Check:
- Nationwide criminal database search
- County-level criminal records
- Federal criminal records
- Sex offender registry check
- Violent crime history
- Drug-related offenses
- Property crimes (theft, vandalism)
- Case-by-case evaluation per Fair Housing
5. Eviction History Search
We search court records for any prior eviction filings or judgments. Even dismissed evictions are noted as they may indicate past disputes. Eviction history typically results in application denial unless there are strong mitigating circumstances.
What We Check:
- Multi-state eviction database search
- County court record checks
- Filed evictions (even if dismissed)
- Eviction judgments and amounts
- Unlawful detainer actions
- Tenant-landlord disputes
- Eviction timeframe and circumstances
6. Identity Verification
We verify applicant identity through government-issued ID, Social Security number validation, and address history verification. This prevents fraud and ensures we're screening the actual applicant.
What We Check:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number verification
- Address history validation
- Name and DOB cross-reference
- Identity fraud check
- Previous addresses (7-year history)
7. Pet Screening & References
For applicants with pets, we conduct thorough pet screening including breed, size, vaccination records, and behavior history. Pet deposits and monthly pet rent assessed. We also check personal and professional references.
What We Check:
- Pet type, breed, age, weight
- Vaccination and license records
- Veterinarian references
- Previous landlord pet feedback
- Restricted breed compliance
- Pet deposit calculation
- Personal and professional references
- Character reference verification
Our Qualification Standards
Ideal Tenant Profile
- Credit score 700+ with clean payment history
- Gross monthly income 3.5x-4x monthly rent
- 2+ years stable employment history
- Excellent landlord references
- No evictions or criminal history
- Professional demeanor and communication
Red Flags & Disqualifiers
- Credit score below 600 (automatic denial)
- Income less than 3x monthly rent
- Eviction history within past 5 years
- Violent criminal history or sex offender status
- Negative landlord references
- False information on application
- Outstanding utility or rental debt
Fair Housing Compliance
We strictly comply with all Fair Housing laws, treating every applicant equally regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Our screening criteria are objective, consistently applied, and documented for legal protection.
Protected Classes
We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
Objective Criteria
All applicants are evaluated using the same objective criteria. Decisions are based solely on financial qualifications, rental history, and criminal background where legally permitted.
Screening Timeline & Process
Application Submission
Tenant completes online application and pays $50 screening fee. Application includes employment, income, rental history, and personal references.
Automated Checks (1-2 hours)
Credit report, criminal background, and eviction history pulled from national databases. Instant preliminary results generated.
Manual Verification (24 hours)
Our team contacts employers, previous landlords, and references. We verify all information provided and cross-check for accuracy.
Report Generation (24-48 hours)
Comprehensive screening report compiled with recommendations. Report includes all findings, risk assessment, and approval/denial decision.
Owner Notification
Property owner receives full report with our recommendation. Final decision made in consultation with owner preferences and property requirements.
What You Need to Apply
Application Fee & Initial Documents
Please be prepared to pay the application fee as outlined in the property listing. In addition to this rental application, you will also be required to provide:
- A valid form of identification
- Proof of income
- Your most recent bank statement
Rental History & References
To complete this rental application, you must be prepared to provide:
- 3 years of residential history
- Contact information for your rental references
Income Requirements
You will be asked to provide information on your monthly income. Most properties require that applicant combined gross income is at least three (3) times the monthly rent amount.
Alternative option: If you do not have three times the monthly rent from employment income, then three times the annual rent in your bank account will suffice. It must be seasoned for at least 6 months.
Credit Score
700+
Minimum requirement for approval
Eviction History
None
No evictions can be present on your rental history
Multiple Residents
Each resident over the age of 18 must submit a separate rental application
We Value Your Privacy
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies.Learn more