Tenant screening

Tenant screening is the single biggest driver of a smooth tenancy. A bad screen costs more than any vacancy.

Standard screening package

• Credit report and FICO.
• Eviction history (national).
• Criminal background (applied consistently per HUD guidance).
• Income verification — typically 2.5–3x monthly rent.
• Employer verification.
• Prior landlord reference (the one before the current — current may want them out).

Fair-housing rules

Apply identical written criteria to every applicant. Inconsistent application is the #1 fair-housing risk and is enforceable regardless of intent.

See the full screening checklist in our tenant screening guide.