Tenant Screening You Can Trust
Make informed rental decisions with comprehensive tenant background checks. Credit reports, eviction history, criminal records, and income verification — all in one report.
The True Cost of a Bad Tenant
One bad tenant can cost you thousands. Screening is a small investment that pays for itself.
$3,500+
Average cost of an eviction including legal fees, lost rent, court costs, and turnover.
Property Damage
Repairs from negligent or destructive tenants can cost thousands beyond the security deposit.
Lost Income
Months of unpaid rent plus vacancy time while dealing with eviction and re-renting.
📊 Screening Pays for Itself
The average tenant screening costs $35-$55. The average eviction costs $3,500+. Even if screening prevents just one bad tenant per year, you’re saving 100x your investment.
Our Tenant Screening Services
Everything you need to evaluate applicants and protect your property.
Credit Reports
Assess financial responsibility with full credit history from major bureaus.
- ✓Credit score
- ✓Payment history
- ✓Outstanding debt
- ✓Bankruptcies
- ✓Collections accounts
⏱️ Turnaround: Minutes
Eviction History
Search national eviction records to identify past rental problems.
- ✓National eviction database
- ✓Unlawful detainer filings
- ✓Judgments for possession
- ✓Money judgments
- ✓7+ year history
⏱️ Turnaround: Minutes
Criminal Background
Multi-jurisdiction criminal records search for safety and peace of mind.
- ✓National criminal database
- ✓Sex offender registry
- ✓County court records
- ✓Felonies & misdemeanors
- ✓Terrorist watchlist
⏱️ Turnaround: Minutes to 24 hrs
Identity Verification
Confirm the applicant is who they claim to be and detect rental fraud.
- ✓SSN validation
- ✓Name & DOB matching
- ✓Address history
- ✓Alias detection
- ✓Fraud indicators
⏱️ Turnaround: Instant
Income Verification
Confirm the applicant can afford the rent with income and employment verification.
- ✓Employment confirmation
- ✓Income verification
- ✓Pay stub review
- ✓Bank statement analysis
- ✓Income-to-rent ratio
⏱️ Turnaround: 1-3 days
Rental References
Contact previous landlords for insights into payment habits and tenant behavior.
- ✓Previous landlord contact
- ✓Payment history
- ✓Property condition
- ✓Lease compliance
- ✓Would rent again?
⏱️ Turnaround: 1-3 days
Tenant Screening Packages
Choose the right level of screening for your needs.
Basic
$25/applicant
Essential checks
- ✓Credit report & score
- ✓Eviction history
- ✓Identity verification
- ✓Instant results
Complete
$45/applicant
Full tenant screening
- ✓Everything in Basic
- ✓Criminal background
- ✓Sex offender registry
- ✓Address history
Premium
$75/applicant
Maximum protection
- ✓Everything in Complete
- ✓Income verification
- ✓Rental references
- ✓County court search
No subscription required. Pay per screening. Volume discounts available for property managers.
View Full Pricing →How Tenant Screening Works
Screen tenants in minutes, not days.
Invite Applicant
Enter the applicant’s email. We send them a secure link to provide consent, personal information, and payment (if you choose).
Instant Screening
We pull credit reports, search eviction records and criminal databases, and verify identity — all automatically.
Review & Decide
Get an easy-to-read report with clear recommendations. Make your rental decision with confidence.
Flexible Payment Options
You decide who pays for the screening.
💳 Landlord Pays
You pay for the screening upfront. Best for competitive rental markets where you want to remove friction from the application process.
- ✓Faster applications
- ✓More applicants
- ✓Tax deductible expense
👤 Applicant Pays
The applicant pays when they submit their information. Common in tenant-paid markets and helps filter out non-serious applicants.
- ✓No cost to you
- ✓Filters tire-kickers
- ✓Industry standard
What to Look for in a Tenant
Key indicators of a reliable tenant.
Credit Score
Look for scores 620+ for standard rentals. Consider the full picture, not just the number.
Income Ratio
Monthly income should be 3x rent or more. Verify with pay stubs or bank statements.
Rental History
No evictions, positive landlord references, and consistent rental history.
Background
Clean criminal record or only minor, old offenses unrelated to property or safety.
Solutions for Property Managers
Managing multiple properties? We have tools for you.
📦 Volume Discounts
Property managers screening 10+ applicants per month qualify for significant volume discounts. The more you screen, the more you save.
🏢 Portfolio Dashboard
Manage all your properties and screenings from one dashboard. Track applications, review reports, and maintain records centrally.
🔌 PMS Integration
Connect to property management software like AppFolio, Buildium, and Yardi. Trigger screenings directly from your existing workflow.
Fair Housing & Compliance
Screen legally and protect yourself from discrimination claims.
FCRA Compliant
Proper disclosures, authorization forms, and adverse action notices included.
Fair Housing
Apply consistent screening criteria to all applicants to comply with Fair Housing laws.
Adverse Action
We provide required notices if you deny an applicant based on their report.
Best Practice: Document Your Criteria
Before you start screening, establish written screening criteria (minimum credit score, income requirements, etc.) and apply them consistently to all applicants. This protects you from discrimination claims and ensures fair, defensible decisions.
What Landlords Say
Join thousands of landlords who trust BackgroundChecker.com.
“BackgroundChecker.com helped me screen a tenant in under 24 hours. The reports were clear, accurate, and gave me peace of mind.”
“Since using BackgroundChecker.com, I’ve had zero evictions across my 12-unit building. The credit + eviction combo catches problems early.”
“The applicant-pays feature is brilliant. It costs me nothing and weeds out applicants who aren’t serious about renting.”
Landlord FAQs
Common questions about tenant screening.
Do I need the applicant’s permission?
Yes. The FCRA requires written authorization from the applicant before running a tenant background check. Our platform captures this consent electronically when the applicant submits their information.
Can applicants pay for their own screening?
Yes. You can choose to have applicants pay when they submit their application, or you can pay yourself. Many landlords prefer applicant-paid to filter out non-serious applicants.
How fast do I get results?
Most reports are delivered within minutes. Credit, eviction, and identity checks are instant. Criminal database searches may take up to 24 hours. Rental references and income verification take 1-3 days.
What if I deny an applicant based on the report?
You must provide an adverse action notice that includes the reason for denial, the CRA’s contact information, and notice of the applicant’s right to dispute. We provide templates and guidance.
Can I deny based on criminal history?
It depends on your state and local laws. Many jurisdictions have fair chance housing laws that limit when criminal history can be considered. Apply consistent criteria and consider the nature, time elapsed, and relevance.
Is there a minimum credit score I should require?
Most landlords require 620+, but this varies by market and property type. Document your criteria in writing and apply them consistently. Consider the whole picture — score, income, rental history, and references.
Landlord Resources
Free tools and guides to help you screen effectively.
Start Screening Your Next Tenant
Make smarter rental decisions with reliable tenant background checks. No monthly commitment — pay per screening. Get results in minutes.
Screen Tenants NowNo subscription required • Results in minutes • FCRA compliant
