Glossary Term
Tenant screening is the process landlords and property managers use to evaluate rental applicants—through applications, credit checks, criminal and eviction history, income verification, and references. It must be done consistently and in compliance with fair housing and other laws.
In short
Tenant screening is the process landlords and property managers use to evaluate rental applicants—through applications, credit checks, criminal and eviction history, income verification, and references. It must be done consistently and in compliance with fair housing and other laws.
Effective screening helps landlords select reliable tenants and reduce eviction and damage risk. Screening must be applied equally to all applicants and must not discriminate against protected classes; inconsistent or discriminatory screening can lead to complaints and liability.
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Commonly: credit history, income/employment, rental history, references, and criminal or eviction records where allowed. Criteria must be applied consistently and must comply with fair housing and local restrictions on criminal/eviction screening.
It depends on state and local law. Some places limit how far back landlords can look or require individualized assessment. Denial must be based on consistent criteria and not on a protected class.
Landlords often require it for credit checks. You can ask how it will be used and whether alternatives are accepted. Refusing may result in the landlord choosing another applicant who provided the information.
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