Best Tenant Screening Questions to Find Reliable Renters

Renting out your property comes with certain risks. Late rent, maintenance disasters, property damage, and troublesome tenants.

Real estate investors then should do everything they can to mitigate these risks, and one way to ensure a smooth rental experience is through tenant screening, and tenant screening starts with asking the right questions and knowing what to look for.

Asking clear, relevant tenant screening questions helps you get a fuller picture of who might be living in your unit and whether they will be a good fit for your property.

Screen Tenants With Landlord Studio—For Free

Screening tenants with Landlord Studio is simple and completely free for landlords.

1. Create your free Landlord Studio account
2. Enter your property address (this is required by our screening provider TransUnion)
3. Navigate to the screenings page under "Find Tenants" and start a new screening report
4. Enter your tenant's name and email address.

Why Tenant Screening Questions Matter

Tenant screening can be a bit like assembling a puzzle. The more pieces of information you have, the more complete the picture, and the more likely you are going to be to accurately identify what kind of tenant an applicant is likely to be.  

Without all the right pieces, though, you risk costly issues like late payments, property damage, or even eviction proceedings. 

Tenant screening questions, when leveraged alongside full screening reports, are essential for capturing as complete a picture as possible. Things like lifestyle habits, future plans, career and job stability, and the tenant's reasons for moving.

The right questions help you:

• Weed out unqualified applicants early
• Understand applicants’ rental and employment history
• Avoid surprises after move-in
• Protect your property from damage and misuse

Before we dive into the specific questions, keep in mind that you should always check local and state laws as well as fair housing regulations when screening tenants, and if in doubt, consult a lawyer.

Related: Landlord-Tenant Laws By State

What Makes a Good Tenant?

Before you start asking questions, define what qualities you value most in a tenant. Some universal good tenant traits include:

• Steady income that comfortably covers rent (often three times the rent amount)
• Clean rental history without evictions or lease violations
• Responsible financial behavior, such as a good credit score or timely bill payments
• Positive references from previous landlords
• Stable employment showing reliable income

Also, tailor your expectations to your property type and your rules — for example, pet policies or occupancy limits.

Tenant Screening Questions to Ask Potential Renters

Here’s a list of key tenant screening questions that will help you make an informed leasing decision:

1. What date are you looking to move in?

This question helps determine if the applicant’s timeline matches your availability. If your unit is vacant now but the tenant can only move in next month, it might not be a good fit.

2. Do you have pets or plan on getting pets?

Pet ownership can affect your property. Even if your ad states a pet policy, ask this to confirm and discuss any restrictions or pet deposits upfront.

3. How long have you lived in your current home?

Longer rental histories at one address may indicate stability, while frequent moves could be a red flag. Follow up with landlords to verify.

4. Why are you moving?

Understanding motivation can reveal potential problems. Reasonable answers include job relocation or needing more space, while vague or evasive responses warrant deeper digging.

5. How many people will live in the unit?

This ensures you comply with occupancy limits and helps avoid overcrowding that could lead to property wear or lease violations.

6. Do you smoke?

Smoking can cause lingering odors and damage. Confirm smoking habits and clarify your policy to avoid future disputes.

7. What is your monthly income?

Income helps confirm their ability to pay rent consistently. Aim for applicants earning at least three times the rent, but adjust based on local market norms.

8. Have you ever broken a rental agreement or been evicted?

Past lease violations or evictions are serious concerns. Ask for context and verify with references and background checks.

Beyond Questions: Verifying Tenant Information

While these questions are a great starting point, always back up answers with data:

• Use tenant screening services to run credit, criminal, eviction, and identity checks.
• Verify income with pay stubs or bank statements.
• Contact previous landlords for references.
• Ensure all checks comply with federal and local laws, including the Fair Housing Act.

Tips to Improve Your Tenant Screening Process

• Set clear criteria upfront in your rental ad (income, pet policy, move-in date) to attract qualified applicants.
• Conduct virtual tours for out-of-town applicants.
• Use a standardized rental application form or collect rental applications online using software like Landlord Studio to ensure you cover all these questions.
• Keep consistent records for all applicants to protect against discrimination claims.

Final Thoughts: Tenant Screening Questions

Asking the right tenant screening questions is a crucial step in protecting your rental property and minimizing risk. These questions help you understand potential renters beyond the numbers and reports.

Coupled with thorough background screening and reference checks, your tenant screening process will be more efficient, reliable, and successful helping you find the best tenants and avoid costly problems.

If you want to streamline tenant screening, leveraging a professional tenant screening platform like Landlord Studio will ensure you get all the information you need fast. Avoid the back and forth and make informed decisions to mitigate risk and amximize ROI.

How To Run Screening Reports with Landlord Studio

Using Landlord Studio, you can collect rental applications online and run full tenant screening reports including credit and eviction checks, criminal background checks, ID verification, and more. So you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Screening tenants with Landlord Studio is simple and completely free for landlords.

1. ‍Create your free Landlord Studio account‍
2. Enter your property address (this is required by our screening provider TransUnion)
3. Navigate to the screenings page under "Find Tenants" and start a new screening report
4. Enter your tenant's name and email address.

And that’s it!

Your tenants will then receive an email asking them to fill out their details. 

Once they’ve submitted and paid* you’ll receive the reports in the app and be notified by email. Simply log back in to review.

View Sample Eviction Report

* Reports cost as little as $45 and can be paid for by the landlord or the tenant.

You Might Also Like

• How to Lease a Property: The Full Process For Landlords
• Portable Tenant Screening Report: A Comprehensive Guide
• 10 Best Property Management Apps for Landlords
• Rental Application Fee Laws By State

Tenant Screening FAQs

What is an example of a tenant screening?

An example of tenant screening is checking a prospective tenant’s credit report, criminal background, and eviction history through a service like TransUnion SmartMove, along with reviewing their rental application and contacting references.

What is the best tenant screening?

The best tenant screening combines a full credit check, background check, eviction history, and income verification. Services like Landlord Studio with TransUnion SmartMove offer comprehensive, reliable reports designed for landlords.

What questions should I ask a tenant reference?

Ask about the tenant’s payment history, how they maintained the property, whether they caused any disturbances, and if the landlord would rent to them again. Example: “Did they pay rent on time every month?”

How do I run my own tenant screening?

You can run a tenant screening by having applicants fill out a rental application and using a trusted tenant screening service like Landlord Studio. The service will handle the background and credit checks with the tenant’s permission.

Do I need the tenant’s consent to run a background check?

Yes, you must have written consent from the tenant before running any background, credit, or eviction checks. This is required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

How long does tenant screening take?

Most tenant screening reports are available instantly or within minutes when using online services like Landlord Studio with TransUnion SmartMove.

Can I reject a tenant based on their screening report?

Yes, but if you do, you must follow FCRA rules and send the applicant an adverse action notice explaining your decision and including a copy of the report.

What is an adverse action notice?

An adverse action notice is a written explanation you must give to an applicant if you deny their application (or approve it with conditions) based on their screening report. It includes details about the report and how to dispute it.

How much does tenant screening cost?

Tenant screening typically costs between $25–$60, depending on the depth of the report. Some landlords have the applicant pay the fee directly through the screening service.

What red flags should I look for in a screening report?

Key red flags include past evictions, late or missed rent payments, low credit scores, high debt-to-income ratios, criminal convictions, or inconsistent employment or rental history.

Can I run a free tenant screening?

Truly free tenant screenings are rare and often limited. However, some services let the tenant pay the fee, so there’s no cost to you. Be cautious of free tools that don’t offer full reports or verified data.