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ContinueWhat is tenant screening? Why is it crucial for landlords? What's in the report? And how can Landlord Studio help?
Head of Real Estate Education & Editorial at Landlord Studio
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Landlord Guide Chapters
Vacancy costs can stack up quickly. So, when it comes to renting out your property, finding a tenant quickly might feel like the top priority, but choosing the right tenant is what really protects your investment in the long run.
That’s where tenant screening comes in.
Tenant screening is the process landlords use to evaluate rental applicants. It helps you identify trustworthy, financially stable tenants before you hand over the keys.
In this article, we’ll break down what tenant screening is, why it matters, and how easy it is to run a full background check using Landlord Studio.
Tenant screening refers to a set of background checks and evaluations landlords perform on prospective renters before approving them for a lease.
Typically, a full tenant screening includes:
These checks help landlords assess whether a tenant is likely to pay rent on time, respect the lease terms, and treat the property with care.
Read: Tenant Screening Checklist: How To Properly Screen Tenants
Making mistakes during the tenant screening process, or worse, skipping the screening process, is incredibly risky and can end up costing you thousands of dollars in:
Worse, once a lease is signed, removing a bad tenant can take months and often involves legal action.
Read: The True Cost of Evictions (And How To Avoid Them)
Thorough screening helps landlords:
Put simply: the more you know upfront, the fewer surprises you’ll face down the road.
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Here’s a high-level overview of what you can expect in a standard screening report:
Understand an applicant’s financial behavior:
Check for offenses that could indicate risk to the property or neighbors.
See if the applicant has been evicted in the past. This is a strong predictor of future issues.
Some reports (like TransUnion SmartMove) include income estimation and fraud detection, helping you verify whether they can afford the rent.
Want to dive deeper? Read: What’s in a Tenant Screening Report →
Tenant screening expenses can differ depending on how thorough the process is, which services you choose, and whether you go with individual reports or a bundled package. Below is a general cost overview:
Some landlords also choose to include optional checks, such as verifying employment, speaking with previous landlords, or checking references, which can add another $5 to $20 per check.
In many cases, landlords charge an application fee to cover these costs. Just be sure that any fees you pass along to applicants are in line with local or state laws, as fee limits and refund rules can vary by jurisdiction.
Landlord Studio’s full, comprehensive tenant screening reports cost only $45 (for Pro users) or $55 (for Go users) and can be charged to the tenant or paid by the landlord.
With Landlord Studio, the entire tenant screening process is built in and easy to use.
Here’s how it works:
No paperwork. No chasing sensitive information. No hassle.
Tenant screening isn’t just a good idea; it’s a crucial part of protecting your rental investment. The cost of not screening a tenant can far outweigh the time it takes to do it right.
With tools like Landlord Studio, it’s never been easier to secure great tenants, from listing your property, collecting leads, managing applicants, and running comprehensive tenant screening reports. All of this can be done securely, legally, and efficiently, from a single streamlined platform.
Sign up for Landlord Studio and start screening tenants with confidence today.
