Tenant Screening and Rental Applications
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Screening Tenants
A landlord’s most effective tool for choosing prospective tenants is diligent tenant screening, including checking a tenant’s credit history and references from previous landlords. Here are some basic guidelines and tools for choosing good tenants.
Thorough tenant screening, starting with a comprehensive rental application, is key to choosing good tenants.
To avoid legal problems and choose the best tenant, ask all prospective tenants to fill out a written rental application that includes information on the applicant's employment, income, credit and other personal information, such as names of references. A sample rental application is shown below.
How to Legally Choose (and) Reject Tenants
Landlords may reject tenants based on legitimate business standards, such as a negative credit history. Here's some advice on how to legally reject tenants--and comply with antidiscrimination laws.
Federal, state, and local laws, notably the federal Fair Housing Act, protect tenants from illegal housing discrimination.
Fair housing laws what landlords can say and do in screening and choosing tenants, but they do not prohibit landlords from rejecting tenants based on legitimate business standards, such as a history of nonpayment of rent or negative references from previous landlords.
Checking a Tenant's Credit Report and References
Many landlords find it essential to check a prospective tenant's credit history and check references from previous landlords. Here's advice on these key screening tools.
An individual's credit report contains key information landlords need to choose good tenants. Here's why credit reports are important screening tools.
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