Tenant Screening FAQ
Common questions landlords ask about tenant screening, background checks, and using Rentalpass to find reliable tenants.
What is tenant screening?
Tenant screening is the process landlords use to evaluate rental applicants before signing a lease. It typically includes a credit check, criminal background check, eviction history search, income verification, and landlord reference checks. The goal is to find reliable tenants who will pay rent on time, take care of the property, and follow lease terms.
How does Rentalpass work?
Rentalpass makes tenant screening simple. You send a screening request to your applicant via email or a shareable link. The applicant completes a quick, secure application and authorizes the screening. Within minutes, you receive a comprehensive report with credit score, criminal background check, eviction history, income verification, and rental history — all in one easy-to-read dashboard.
How much does tenant screening cost?
Rentalpass offers affordable tenant screening with no monthly fees or subscriptions. You only pay when you screen. Many landlords also choose to have the applicant cover the screening fee as part of the application process, which is standard practice in the industry.
How long does a tenant screening report take?
With Rentalpass, most screening reports are delivered within minutes of the applicant completing their application. Credit reports and criminal background checks are pulled instantly from national databases. Some components like income verification may take slightly longer if additional documentation is needed.
What's included in a tenant screening report?
A comprehensive tenant screening report from Rentalpass includes: credit score and full credit history, nationwide criminal background check (federal, state, and county records), eviction history going back 7 years, income verification, address history, and rental history. Everything you need to make an informed leasing decision.
Is Rentalpass FCRA compliant?
Yes. Rentalpass is fully compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair Housing laws. We ensure proper consent is obtained from applicants before running any screening reports, and we provide all required disclosures. You can screen tenants with confidence knowing you're meeting all legal requirements.
Can I screen tenants if I only own one rental property?
Absolutely. Rentalpass is designed for landlords of all sizes — from single-unit owners to large property management companies. There's no minimum number of properties or screenings required. Whether you're renting out a spare room or managing a portfolio, you get the same comprehensive screening tools.
How do I check a tenant's eviction history?
Eviction records are public and can be found in county court records. However, manually searching each county is extremely time-consuming. Rentalpass automatically searches eviction records across all available jurisdictions nationwide, going back 7 years, and includes the results in your screening report. It's the fastest way to check tenant eviction history.
What if an applicant has bad credit?
A low credit score doesn't automatically disqualify an applicant. Consider the full picture: the reason for the low score (medical debt vs. chronic non-payment), their rental history, income stability, and landlord references. Some landlords accept applicants with lower credit scores if they can provide a larger security deposit or a co-signer.
How do I stay compliant with Fair Housing laws?
Apply the same screening criteria to every applicant consistently. Never discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. Document your screening criteria in advance, use a standardized application, and provide adverse action notices when denying applicants based on screening results. Using an FCRA-compliant screening tool like Rentalpass helps ensure compliance.
Can the tenant pay for the screening?
Yes, and this is common practice. Many landlords have applicants pay the screening fee as part of their rental application. Rentalpass supports both landlord-pay and applicant-pay options, so you can choose what works best for your process.
What's the best way to check tenant history?
The best approach combines formal screening reports with personal verification. Start with a comprehensive tenant screening report (credit, criminal, eviction), then verify rental history by calling previous landlords, and confirm income with pay stubs or bank statements. Rentalpass streamlines this process by pulling all formal reports into one dashboard, so you can focus on the personal verification steps.
What is a tenant review tool?
A tenant review tool is an online platform that helps landlords evaluate rental applicants by pulling together background checks, credit reports, eviction records, and rental history into a single report. Rentalpass is a tenant review tool designed specifically for independent landlords and small property managers who need fast, affordable screening without enterprise complexity.
How do I screen tenants fast?
The fastest way to screen tenants is to use an all-in-one screening tool like Rentalpass. Set your screening criteria in advance, send a screening request to the applicant, and get a comprehensive report within minutes. No need to manually pull credit reports, search court records, or call multiple references separately.
Do I need tenant screening for a month-to-month lease?
Yes. A month-to-month lease doesn't reduce the risk of a bad tenant — it can actually increase it, since short-term renters may have less stability. Screen every applicant regardless of lease length to protect your property and income.
Have more questions?
We're here to help. Reach out to our team and we'll get back to you quickly.