Tenant screening

Here are some dos and don’ts to consider when making the choice to screen tenants:

• Do keep the screening process consistent: screen every applicant, every time.
• Don’t make yourself vulnerable to discrimination suits by screening applicants based on appearance or other subjective attributes.
• Don’t skip the tenant screening for an applicant who speaks well or dresses nicely, or the tenant applicant who drives a nice car—again, these are subjective observations that do not mean they will pay rent on time.
• Do protect your other tenants and the neighbors surrounding your rental material goods by including criminal history in your background check process.
• Do choose your screening service carefully. Are they a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business and Honest Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)-Compliant Consumer Reporting Agency? Is the staff FCRA Certified and Bonded?
• Do ensure that your screening service employs high security measures, such as fingerprint scanners, controlled access, monitored facilities, and proper disposal techniques.
• Don’t use a screening service without nationwide coverage and access to all three credit bureaus.
• Do keep all in rank learned from a tenant credit report in strictest confidence.
• Don’t neglect to grant a tenant applicant with a copy of the report, and to advise them in writing if you reject them for credit reasons.