What Makes a Great Tenant? 9 Things To Look For

Every landlord wishes for the superpower to be able to foresee which prospective tenant is going to be problematic or not. The stakes are high, and you don’t want to have a bad tenant on your hands; it could cost you time, money, and peace of mind. 

That’s why knowing what makes me a great tenant is just as important for landlords as it is for renters themselves. 

But the truth is, getting it right is more science than luck. I’m of course referring to the process of tenant screening during the application stage of finding a renter. 

To successfully identify the best tenant, there are a few things you need to know. This article examines what to look for and how you can identify the best tenant for your rental quickly and legally.

Related article: 6 Steps To Get The Best Tenants For Your Rental Property 

So, What Makes A Great Tenant?

1. No Prior Criminal Convictions

A tenant’s criminal history can reveal whether they pose a potential risk to your property or neighbors. This vetting process is especially important if you’re a landlord managing multi-unit or family-oriented properties where a bad tenant could affect other tenants in the building.

For example, a conviction related to assault or theft could indicate possible conflicts with neighbors or disregard for other people’s belongings. On the other hand, a decade-old traffic misdemeanor with no recurrence wouldn’t carry the same weight. 

Generally, it is advisable to look for patterns of violent behavior, drug offenses, property damage, or fraud. Use discretion, and always investigate the context.

Note: Only relevant convictions (not arrests) can be used when making a decision based on criminal history. Always check your local regulations to avoid discrimination and ensure consistency in applying this criterion to all applicants.

2. Good Credit History

A tenant's credit history can tell you a lot about their financial habits. 

A strong credit score, typically 650 or above, suggests good basic financial management. It shows that the applicant pays bills on time, manages debt responsibly, and is less likely to default on rent.

You’ll want to look at their full credit report, though, not just their score. Red flags include recent collections, late payments, maxed-out credit cards, or frequent delinquencies. On the other hand, consistent on-time payments and a healthy debt-to-income ratio are good signs.

Some applicants, like students or newcomers to the country, may have little or no credit history. In these cases, consider requesting a guarantor or a higher security deposit. Again, consistency is key; whatever policy you apply, use it for all applicants to avoid discrimination.

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The fastest way to get a full credit report, background check, rental and eviction history and more. Free for landlords.

3. Stable Income and Employment

Even the most well-intentioned tenant can’t pay rent without a reliable income. A general rule of thumb is that a tenant(s) should earn at least 2.5x to 3x the monthly rent.

Start by requesting proof of income. Pay stubs from the last two to three months, an employment verification letter, or recent tax returns can give you a clear picture. For freelancers or self-employed applicants, bank statements or signed client contracts are acceptable alternatives. 

What you’re looking for is consistency and transparency.

Also, look at the job history. A long tenure at one job often reflects stability, while frequent job changes without a clear explanation could be a red flag. Finally, be cautious of applicants who hesitate to provide employer details or whose income is difficult to verify.

4. Good Communicator

Great tenants, just like the best landlords, will be clear, respectful, and prompt with their communications. Whether they’re reporting a maintenance issue (before it escalates into a full-blown crisis), asking about a lease clause, or notifying you about travel plans, a good tenant communicates.

During the application process, pay attention to how they interact. Do they reply to emails quickly? Are they polite and organized in their questions? Do they show a willingness to understand the terms of the lease? 

These small cues can reveal a lot about how they’ll communicate once they move in.

Related: 15 Prescreening Questions to Ask Prospective Tenants 

5. Low Risk of Litigation

Most landlords don’t expect to get sued by their tenants, but it happens, and there are a few red flags that could be indicators of increased risk.

A tenant who is quick to threaten legal action or frequently refers to past disputes with landlords. While tenants have every right to protect themselves, you don’t want someone who sees every minor inconvenience as grounds for a lawsuit.

For example, if:

1. If a prospective tenant complains excessively about a former landlord, 
2. seems argumentative during routine conversations, 
3. or demands special terms that fall outside your lease, then proceed with caution.

When you check their previous landlord references, ask whether the tenant has ever threatened legal action or caused conflict. 

Choosing someone with a history of reasonable, respectful relationships will help maintain a smooth rental experience.

Get a state-by-state breakdown of landlord-tenant laws here.

6. Solid References

References offer valuable insight into how a tenant behaves once the lease is signed. Speaking to past landlords, employers, or even long-term roommates can reveal whether the applicant was respectful, timely with rent, and easy to deal with, or whether they left a trail of unpaid bills and broken agreements.

Always verify at least one previous landlord reference. Ask clear, specific questions: Did the tenant pay rent on time? Were there any complaints from neighbors? Did they follow the terms of the lease? Would you rent to them again? 

A consistent “yes” across these answers is a strong signal that you’re dealing with someone dependable.

Be mindful of fake or misleading references. Some applicants might list friends or family as past landlords. To avoid this, cross-check the reference’s name and contact information with public property records or ask for official documentation, such as a previous lease or rent receipts.

Read also: How To Create A Landlord Reference Letter

7. Smoking and Pets

When evaluating tenants, it’s perfectly legal to consider factors like smoking habits or pet ownership, provided your rules are applied consistently to all applicants. 

For example, if your property is strictly non-smoking or has pet restrictions, you can use this information to decide whether a prospective tenant is a good fit. Tenants who are upfront about these factors show transparency and responsibility, reducing the risk of disputes later.

Related: How to Legally Decline a Tenant: Setting Tenant Criteria 

8. Punctuality and Preparedness

Tenants who arrive on time for viewings and bring all necessary documents demonstrate reliability and respect for your time. 

These small behaviors often translate to responsible habits during the tenancy, like paying rent on time and reporting maintenance issues promptly.

9. Long-Term Tenancy

Tenants interested in staying longer reduce turnover and vacancy gaps. Ask about their intended length of stay and verify previous rental history for stability. Long-term tenants are often easier to manage and help ensure a smooth rental experience.

What Information Can You Legally Use to Judge Tenants?

We’ve outlined 9 signs of what makes a great tenant, but before we move on to the best way to collect all this information from tenants, we need to take a step back and make sure all tenant assessments are made fairly and legally. 

When screening tenants, landlords must follow federal, state, and local laws that protect applicants from discrimination. You can consider factors related to financial responsibility and tenancy history as outlined above, but you must be very careful not to make decisions based on any of the protected characteristics, such as:

• Race, color, or national origin
• Religion or creed
• Sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation
• Family status (e.g., having children)
• Disability

Legally allowable criteria include:

• Credit history and score
• Employment and income verification
• Rental history and references
• Criminal convictions (depending on state laws)
• Smoking habits and pets (if property rules are clearly stated)
• Ability to provide security deposits or guarantors

When making your final decision, always apply the same standards to all applicants to avoid discrimination claims. Keeping clear records of your tenant screening process is a best practice in case any disputes arise.

Learn More About Related Landlord-Tenant Laws: 

• Landlord-Tenant Laws by State
• Rental Application Laws by State
• Fair Housing Act: What Landlords Need To Know
• How To Legally Reject A Tenants Rental Application
• The Fair Credit Reporting Act: A Landlords Guide
• Landlord-Tenant Laws: What Can And Can't A Landlord Do?

Gather All the Information You Need, Without the Hassle

Now you know what to look for, how do you actually go about collecting all of this information?

The short answer: run a tenant screening report as part of the rental application process. 

There are several ways to do this. With a paper application form and manual screening checks. Or you can use an online rental application and tenant screening service. 

And the easiest way to do that is to leverage purpose-built tools for the job, such as Landlord Studio.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create your free Landlord Studio account or log back in.
2. If you haven’t already, add your property address (required for screening reports).
3. If you’ve used our rental listings feature, select the pre-screened lead you’d like to take to the next step. If not, simply enter their name and email address.

That’s it.

The tenant will now receive your request to complete a rental application and/or a tenant screening report.

Once the tenant completes the screening application, you’ll get the report in minutes

The report compiles all the essential information in one place, making it easy to compare applicants and choose the best tenant.

Landlord Studio integrates with TransUnion SmartMove, so you get accurate, detailed reports fast. Our tenant screening reports (combined with online application forms) include everything you need to identify a great tenant. 

Landlord Studio’s tenant screening reports include: ID verification, a full credit report, criminal history, rental and eviction checks, and background checks—all bundled in one report.

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Ready to simplify tenant screening? Start your first application with Landlord Studio today!

Final Words: Choosing Great Tenants

Finding a great tenant should not involve guesswork. Focus on key allowable factors like credit history, income stability, communication skills, references, honesty, and long-term intentions. 

Check references, and always run a full tenant screening report as part of your rental application process to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. 

With tools like Landlord Studio, you can streamline this process, combining online applications with comprehensive screening reports in one place so you can protect your investment, minimize risks, and set the stage for a smooth, long-term tenancy. 

Great tenants do exist, and now you know how to find them. Create your free Landlord Studio account today.