8 Best Tenant Screening Services to Find Perfect Tenants For Your Property
You’ve become a landlord and are ready for tenants to fill in your empty rooms, but before you hand over the keys to one of the rooms, there’s one crucial step you need to take: tenant screening.
You may be thinking. “Why go through the hassle of tenant screening? Can’t I trust my gut instinct and lease my rental to any warm body with a wad of cash?” No, you shouldn’t; otherwise, you are playing with fire. Don’t forget to add landlord insurance afterwards.
Table of Contents
Best Tenant Screening Services to Choose
RentSpree
RentSpree has +1 million real estate agents, landlords, and investors using the platform. They make receiving online documents from rental application, tenant screening reports, document upload, and reference checks easier.
In addition to a credit report, a criminal background check, and an eviction report RentSpree can do a reference check to gather information on prospective tenants from real people. RentSpree stands out with its 24/7 online portal that enables landlords and property managers to review applications and screening reports anytime, day or night.
Benefits:
- Online Rental Application – Provides an online rental application that can be sent via email or text. The application is not sent until all required information is provided by the applicant.
- Tenant Screening – Comprehensive tenant screening reports, including a credit report, tenant background check, and rental history report.
- Document Upload – Applicants can upload documents to verify their information.
- Reference Check – Gather information on prospective tenants from real people for further background check.
- Free Basic Plan -RentSpree offers a free basic plan, a PRO plan for $19.99 monthly per user, and an Enterprise plan with custom pricing.
Pros:
- Rental application simplifies data collection and makes the application process convenient for both landlords and tenants.
- The tenant screening reports provided are comprehensive and provide a complete picture of the applicant.
- Offers a free basic plan, making it a cost-effective option for landlords and property managers to try the service.
Cons:
- Some features, such as income verification and auto-reference checks, are only available in the PRO plan.
- Tenant screening reports are not available in certain states and counties.
TenantCloud
TenantCloud, a property management software, and tenant screening together. With TenantCloud’s tenant screening services, finding reliable tenants is easier and quicker.
When screening potential tenants, it’s essential to check three crucial things – credit scores, background investigations, and eviction reports. Credit checks give you an insight into the tenant’s financial history, including outstanding debts and scores.
On the other hand, background checks search nationwide criminal records for any criminal background. Additionally, the eviction reports detail any previous evictions by the potential tenant. The tenant screening process is made even more efficient and convenient with TenantCloud’s online rental application.
Benefits:
- Tenant Screening – Screens tenants credit checks, background checks, and eviction reports.
- Online Leases – Landlords create leases online and invite tenants to e-sign them for a smoother process.
- Rental Applications – Landlords can share listings and receive applications through TenantCloud quickier way to look through applicants.
- Team Management Tools – Tools for managing property teams, including team tracking, team calendar, and messaging.
- Property Manager Tools – Tools specific to property managers for easy owner agreements, accounting, and communication.
Pros:
- Comprehensive set of tools for property management, making it a one-stop solution for landlords.
- The platform is user-friendly and offers a variety of features, including tenant screening, online leases, and rental applications.
- TenantCloud offers a free plan for up to 75 units, making it a cost-effective solution for small landlords and property managers.
Cons:
- Some features, such as team management tools and property manager tools, are only available in the paid plans.
- The tenant screening service is not as comprehensive as some other services, as it does not include income verification.
TransUnion SmartMove
TransUnion SmartMove is a tenant screening service provided by TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus. The credit reports review the prospective tenant’s credit score, history, and any outstanding debts — as well as services of criminal background check and prior evictions.
Tenants provide their data directly to TransUnion, protecting their privacy while making the process simpler and faster. TransUnion SmartMove has its way to factor tenants through a ResidentScore, explicitly designed for the rental industry, and can predict evictions 15% more often than a typical credit score.
Benefits:
- Resident Score – A unique metric developed by TransUnion. Unlike traditional credit scores that focus on loan outcomes, the Resident Score is tailored for tenant screening. It predicts the risk vs. the reliability of a prospective tenant, factoring in their rental performance.
- Comprehensive Credit Report – TransUnion, being one of the major credit bureaus, provides an in-depth credit report as part of the SmartMove package. Showcases a tenant’s financial reliability but also their spending habits, ensuring landlords have a clear picture of their potential tenant’s financial health.
- Eviction History and Criminal Check – A tenant’s past behavior can be a strong indicator of their future actions. SmartMove provides a detailed eviction history and exhaustive criminal background check, scanning over 370 million criminal records. From the Most Wanted databases to the National Sex Offender Public Registry, landlords can be assured of their tenant’s background.
- Income Verification with Income Insights – Feature estimates a salary range based on the tenant’s credit check information, giving landlords an additional layer of verification.
Pros:
- TransUnion is a well-known authority in credit reports for the real estate industry.
- Offers a comprehensive credit report that includes the actual credit score of the tenant applicant.
- Allows the tenant to pay for the report, which is convenient for landlords who don’t want to handle application fees
Cons:
- More expensive than other options
- Tenant needs to fill out details after receiving an email, which can delay the report if the tenant doesn’t respond promptly.
TurboTenant
TurboTenant makes tenant screening simpler for landlords and renters alike, offering integrated property listings, online rental applications, and digital lease signing solutions – providing a holistic property management solution in one.
TurboTenant stands out among tenant screening services by offering an expansive set of property management tools combined with its distinct pricing model. Where many services charge landlords directly for tenant screening services, TurboTenant transfers this cost directly onto tenants via one-time application fees paid upon application – creating cost savings while increasing transparency during screening processes as tenants have equal access to all relevant data viewed by landlords.
Benefits:
- Rental Advertising – Professional listing page that brings together photos, a description, the location, and a list of amenities to make your place stand out. It also allows you to advertise on dozens of rental listing websites at once, all from one place.
- Online Application – Online application that can be filled out by renters from their computer, tablet, or phones. It also allows you to customize your application to fit your needs by adding your own questions.
- Tenant Screening – Partners with TransUnion for the credit, criminal history, and past evictions report and for Income Insights, a tenant income verification tool.
- Rental Management & Documents – Manage all your communication, lease, and document needs in one place. It also offers state-specific leases drafted by local lawyers and landlords.
- Rent Payments Features – Makes rent payments convenient for you and your tenants. Features like automatic late fees, rent tracking, rental accounting, autopay, receipts, payment history, and best in class security.
- Customer Support – Customer support via email, chat, or phone, seven days a week, 24/7 .
Pros:
- Offers a comprehensive suite of features, making it a one-stop-shop for landlords.
- User-friendly platform that can be accessed from various devices.
- Provides state-specific leases, which can save landlords time and money.
- The customer support is available seven days a week, which is a great advantage for landlords who might need assistance outside of regular business hours.
Cons:
- Some users reported the interface can be a bit slow at times.
- While TurboTenant offers a wide range of features, some landlords might not need all of them and might prefer a more streamlined service.
Avail
Avail is designed for landlords or real estate investors who own a small number of rental properties. Like most tenant screening services, it offers credit checks, criminal background checks, and eviction reports. But additional benefits too.
The package comes in basic renter profile to full screening. Learn of your tenant’s job history, adverse items, if they were on terror lists or a potential sex offender. If you want to be extra cautious before leasing your property to a tenant? Avail’s approach is for DIY landlords who own fewer units is unique. Easier to use and understand for DIY.
Benefits:
- Tenant Credit Report – Uses a TransUnion-backed tenant credit check that includes the applicant’s credit score, credit insights, account summaries, and tradelines.
- Tenant Criminal History Check – Runs a tenant criminal background check that cross-references the applicant against national and federal watch lists, state reports, the National Sex Offender Registry, and Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) watch lists.
- Tenant Eviction Report – Provides an eviction check for all 50 states, confirming whether the applicant was involved in the eviction process, the final summary judgment, and the dates the eviction process took place.
Pros:
- Avail provides comprehensive tenant screening reports, including credit, criminal, and eviction checks.
- The service is easy to use, with Avail reaching out to the tenant for authorization and providing the reports in an easy-to-digest format.
- Avail offers flexible payment options, with either the landlord or the tenant able to cover the fee of the reports.
Cons:
- The cost of the screening reports varies by location due to state laws, which could make it more expensive in some areas.
- The tenant must authorize the background check, which could delay the process if the tenant is slow to respond.
MyRental
MyRental is a service provided by CoreLogic, the leading financial consumer of property data. MyRental offers a basic and premium package where you can add credit score and Safe Rent Score on top of criminal reports and eviction history.
With its user-friendly interface and precise reports, MyRental stands out from competitors by its predictive scoring model, which quickly predicts likely lease default risks, allowing landlords to assess potential risks more efficiently.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Screening Solutions – MyRental offers a suite of tenant screening solutions tailored for landlords, real estate agents, and property managers. To help you identify the most qualified applicants for your property.
- Detailed Reports – Access to a variety of screening reports, including:
- Credit Report – Understand an applicant’s financial behavior and creditworthiness.
- Eviction and Address History – Dive into an applicant’s past rental behavior and address history.
- Multi-state Criminal and Sex Offender Checks – Ensure the safety of your property and neighborhood.
- SafeRent Score – A unique scoring system that evaluates potential renters using data and analytics. This three-digit score, ranging from 200 to 800, offers a quick insight into the applicant’s rental reliability.
- Lease Performance – Get insights into how the applicant has performed in previous lease agreements.
- Mobile-Friendly – Free online rental application process that’s paperless and can be accessed on any device. This not only saves time but also ensures a seamless experience for both landlords and applicants.
Pros:
- Offers a wide range of tenant checks including credit, eviction, criminal, and more.
- The SafeRent Score provides an easy-to-understand score to evaluate potential renters.
- Allows either the landlord or the applicant to pay for the screening.
Cons:
- The website provides an overview but lacks in-depth details about the screening process.
- While the SafeRent score is useful, it might not provide a complete picture of the renter’s reliability.
RentPrep
RentPrep provides comprehensive tenant screening solutions for landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals. Their range of screening packages encompasses credit reports, eviction histories, judgments/liens/bankruptcies/bankruptcies, criminal/sex offender searches nationwide, and bankruptcy searches for any outstanding liens.
RentPrep stands out from its competition by providing education and real estate communities. Offering resources like “Tenant Screening 101,” as well as hosting an informative podcast entitled “RentPrep for Landlords,” they aim to keep users up-to-date on industry changes or concerns. In addition, RentPrep boasts a community of over 10,000 landlords on Facebook as part of its group that allows landlords to share experiences and give each other advice in an open forum setting.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Screening Packages – Includes credit reports, national eviction report, judgements and liens, bankruptices, and nationwide criminal background report.
- Landlord Forms – Offers a plethora of landlord and real estate-specific forms, ensuring that landlords have all the necessary paperwork at their fingertips.
- Vibrant Community – With over 10,000 landlords in their Facebook community, RentPrep offers a platform for landlords to share experiences, seek advice, and learn from one another.
- Endorsements – RentPrep is a brand trusted by industry experts. The service is even mentioned in “The Book on Managing Rental Properties” by Brandon and Heather Turner.
Pros:
- Provides a wide range of checks to ensure landlords get a complete picture of potential tenants.
- Offers guides and tutorials to help landlords understand the screening process.
- The active Facebook community provides a platform for landlords to share experiences and seek advice.
- Competitive pricing for the range of services offered.
Cons:
- The website has a lot of information which might be overwhelming for some users.
- Like all screening services, the accuracy of reports depends on the data sources they use.
Tenant Background Search
Tenant Background Search is an affordable tenant background check on individual prospective tenants. The service starts with a standard report to complete comprehensive information, including the tenant’s credit score, past due history, summary count and credit ratio, a summary of accounts, credit inquiries, and employment summary.
Search any nationwide criminal records they are not mentioning and have troubles with prior landlords where they had been evicted. Tenant Background Search distinguishes itself by having extensive accuracy and reliability through partnering with large data houses TransUnion and CoreLogic.
Benefits:
- Complete Credit Report -Full credit report that includes the tenant’s credit score, past due history, summary count and credit ratio, summary of accounts, credit inquiries, and employment summary.
- Background Check – Conducts a thorough background check on potential tenants.
- Eviction Report – Reviews any prior evictions with past landlords.
Pros:
- Tenant Background Search offers a comprehensive tenant screening solution that includes a full credit report and background check.
- Convenient and easy to use, with reports accessible 24/7 through an online account.
- Tenant Background Search has partnered with large and reliable data warehouses like TransUnion and CoreLogic to provide accurate information.
Cons:
- No free trial to test it out before buying.
- Website’s user interface could be more modernize.
Why is Tenant Screening Important?
Let’s face it. Not all tenants are created equal. Some pay their rent on time, take care of your property like it’s their own, and make your life as a landlord a breeze.
And then, some think paying rent is optional, treat your property like a frat house, and become the reason you suddenly urge to pull out your hair. Tenant screening helps you avoid the latter by digging deep into their rental history, credit scores, employment status, and criminal records.
Next, tenant screening is crucial for protecting your property. You’ve put your blood, sweat, and hard-earned finance into your rental property. The last thing you want is a tenant who trashes the place and leaves you with a hefty repair bill.
Tenant screening helps you identify trustworthy individuals who will treat your property respectfully and ensure that it remains pristine as when you handed over the keys. Finding a tenant is easy, but finding the right one is a different game.
But it’s not just about avoiding nightmares; tenant screening also plays a role in maintaining a positive rental experience. When you choose tenants who are responsible, respectful, and financially stable, you’re more likely to have a smooth and enjoyable landlord-tenant relationship.
Now that we’ve established why tenant screening is a non-negotiable step in the rental process let’s dive into the factors you should consider when choosing a tenant screening service.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tenant Screening Service
Now that a tenant screening service is necessary, you will want to consider some factors to help you decide which one is the best for your rental property.
Accuracy is vital when it comes to screening potential tenants. You want to avoid ending up with a service that gives you unreliable results, leading you to make bad decisions. Imagine having a nightmare tenant because the screening missed some crucial information. That’s a situation we want to avoid. So, please ensure the service you choose is known for its accuracy and read the reviews before purchasing. Trust me; it’s worth the extra effort.
Now what about the number of screening services offered? You want to do something other than settle for a service that only scratches the surface. You want a service that goes above and beyond to give you a comprehensive view of your potential tenants. Look for a service that checks credit history and verifies employment history, rental history, and any legal issues. It’s like getting a full background check to ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Next is how is the user interface. We all love it when things are easy to navigate. Well, finding a tenant screening service should be the same. You want to be free of overly complicated services and having to watch YouTube tutorials. Look for a service that has a user-friendly interface and provides a seamless experience to make everything much more accessible.
Last but not least is customer support and assistance. Picture this: You’re panicking because you’ve encountered a snag in the screening process and have no idea what to do. You frantically try to seek help, but all you get are crickets.
That’s why choosing a tenant screening service that offers top-notch customer support is crucial. Look for a service with a responsive and helpful customer service team ready to assist you whenever you need it. After all, we all need a little help now and then, don’t we?
Cost of Tenant Screening Services
The cost of tenant screening services can vary widely based on the depth of information required and the provider chosen. Basic screenings, including a simple credit check, rental history, and criminal background check, can range from $15 to $25.
However, more comprehensive packages, which delve into criminal background checks, eviction histories, and income verifications, can range from $35 to $75 or even more. It’s essential to note that while cost is a factor, the value derived from a thorough screening can save landlords from potential losses in the future.
After all, the price of a comprehensive tenant screening is often minuscule compared to the potential costs of dealing with problematic tenants, missed rents, or property damages.
Benefits of Tenant Screening Services
Tenant screening services are more than background checks; they reassure landlords. One of the primary advantages is risk mitigation. By vetting potential tenants, landlords can reduce the chances of renting to individuals with a troublesome background and not having to deal with their problems later. Another benefit is maintaining a stable rent income. A tenant with a solid credit history and verifiable income will likely pay rent on time and in full.
Additionally, these services save time. Instead of manually checking references, making calls, and verifying documents, landlords can get a comprehensive tenant screening report with a few clicks. Furthermore, you will have an unbiased view, ensuring that giving that lease is factual, not gut feelings.
FAQs
Why is tenant screening important?
Tenant screening ensures that landlords find reliable and trustworthy tenants, reducing the chances of disputes, unpaid rent, and property damage.
What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?
The FCRA is a U.S. federal law regulating consumer credit information and ensuring its accuracy. Consumers have the right to access and dispute their credit reports, thus protecting them from misuse of their credit information.
How do tenant screening services work?
These services utilize advanced algorithms and databases to provide comprehensive reports on potential tenants, including credit scores, criminal records, eviction histories, etc.
Are online tenant screening services reliable?
Yes, most online tenant screening services are reliable, especially those backed by reputable organizations or credit bureaus.
How long does the screening process take?
Modern tenant screening services often generate reports instantly or within a few minutes.
Can a tenant refuse a screening?
Yes, a tenant can refuse a screening. However, landlords can also choose not to rent to a tenant who refuses screening.
Closing Thoughts
Tenant screening services are a tool to assist in finding suitable tenants for your rental property. With the right tenant service provider in place, you can feel assured that prospective tenants are the right match for your home or building. Other advantages are their high level of accuracy and the range of affordability or access to more information.
Consider background checks and paperwork when selecting your screening service provider. Landlords and property owners require thorough tenant screening to protect their investments; researching before choosing one ensures you find an efficient screening provider who delivers results. Look through any of these top tenant screening services to make your decision.
