{"id":183648,"date":"2025-07-02T12:58:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T18:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=183648"},"modified":"2025-07-30T11:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T17:14:55","slug":"how-to-spot-a-red-flag-tenant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-spot-a-red-flag-tenant","title":{"rendered":"This is the Best Way to Spot Red Flags During Your Tenant Screening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>This article is presented by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/tenant-screening\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TurboTenant<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You have finally listed your rental on the market, and applications are starting to come in. One applicant says they \u201cjust need a peaceful place to restart\u201d; another says they \u201clove to garden and keep things quiet\u201d; and one claims their last landlord ghosted them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now what?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/tenant-screening\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tenant screening<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is a crucial part of the process that many new landlords often overlook. But if you\u2019re not doing it thoroughly, or worse, relying on outdated methods, you might be walking into a financial mess.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Luckily, there are tools today that make it <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">way<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> easier to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">figure out<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> if <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">someone\u2019s<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">actually going to be<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the kind of tenant you want.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> So let\u2019s break down why background checks matter, how to set your renter criteria before you even start screening, and how to avoid the common traps that come with incomplete or unreliable reports.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why Tenant Background Checks Are Crucial<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The biggest mistake a landlord can make is assuming someone will be a good tenant just because they seem friendly or say all the right things. A tenant background check gives you a real, data-backed view of a person\u2019s rental history, not just their vibe during a walkthrough.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With a proper screening, you can find out if someone:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Has been evicted in the past<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Has a criminal history that could be relevant<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Has a pattern of missed payments, collections, or debt<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Is likely to respect your property and lease terms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Skipping this step (or doing it halfway) can cost you thousands of dollars in lost rent, damages, and legal fees. One bad tenant can undo years of smart investing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not All Background Checks Are Created Equal<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here\u2019s what most landlords don\u2019t realize: Not every background check gives you the whole story. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some are too basic, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">pulling<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> only partial credit or criminal history.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Others take too long to process, giving you a report after you\u2019ve already picked someone. Even some of the largest credit bureaus have <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20250618547150\/en\/TurboTenant-and-Rent-Butter-Partner-to-Set-a-New-Standard-in-Tenant-Screening\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">accuracy rates below 86%<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All this<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> means you could be relying on information that\u2019s outdated, incomplete, or <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">flat-out wrong<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A thorough background check should be accurate, instantaneous, and include information on credit, criminal, and eviction history. That\u2019s why I use <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/tenant-screening\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TurboTenant<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What TurboTenant Does Right<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TurboTenant runs over 20,000 background checks every month, so they\u2019ve made the process quick and easy; no need to dig for details yourself. They have also recently <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20250618547150\/en\/TurboTenant-and-Rent-Butter-Partner-to-Set-a-New-Standard-in-Tenant-Screening\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">teamed up with Rent Butter<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a tech-forward screening tool, to offer near-instant credit and background checks directly within the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Their reports have a 99% accuracy rate across credit, criminal, and eviction history, so you\u2019re getting the real story, not just a highlight reel.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Results are instant, which means no awkward waiting period while your applicant wonders what&#8217;s taking so long. It\u2019s a soft credit pull, too, so it won\u2019t ding their score and scare off quality renters. And best of all? It\u2019s entirely free for landlords, which keeps your margins happy and your stress levels low. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Their <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/tenant-screening\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">tenant background check<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is easy to access and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">simple<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to understand, even <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">if you\u2019re<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> screening tenants for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Define Your Renter Criteria<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before you even start screening tenants, you should know what you\u2019re looking for. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is where clear, consistent rental criteria come in. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It\u2019s not just about keeping things organized; it\u2019s about staying legally compliant and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">making your<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> screening process <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">fair<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your criteria might include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Minimum credit score<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Monthly income threshold (for example, 3x the rent)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">No prior evictions or violent criminal history<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pet restrictions or smoking policies<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Maximum number of occupants<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Once you\u2019ve got that written down, you can apply it equally to every applicant. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> protects you from claims of discrimination, keeps you focused on what matters, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">makes<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the selection process <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">easier<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not sure where to start? Here\u2019s a great guide to <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/rental-advertising\/how-to-find-a-good-tenant\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=blog#financial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">set tenant criteria<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> from TurboTenant.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why Some Checks Don\u2019t Tell The Whole Story<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Any screening inaccuracies can be detrimental to your rental business. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> so many solutions for tenant screening <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">out there<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, how can you be sure yours is telling the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">full<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> story?<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> And why do so many get it wrong?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Screening inaccuracies can be due to a slew of reasons. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In one example from 2020, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/05\/28\/business\/renters-background-checks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The New York Times<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> reported three cases of mistaken identity <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">leading to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> housing <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">denial<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Other examples have uncovered a variety of challenges <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">like<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> mixed files<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, outdated information<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">mixed files<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">An inaccurate screening report can be just as harmful to your business as no screening report. Between potential discrimination lawsuits, inability to find a qualified renter, confusing or incomplete reports, and more, there\u2019s no room for error when your investment is on the line.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What sets apart trusted screening services like TurboTenant is their ability to partner with industry-leading solutions <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">like<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Rent Butter.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Rent Butter strives for the most accurate and transparent screening in the industry by retrieving data from multiple sources to identify any potential gaps in reporting. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instead of missing critical information <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">like<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> felonies, their reports <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">full<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> look into an applicant\u2019s history.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Great tenants <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">aren\u2019t found<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> by luck. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They\u2019re seen<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> by process. When you list your property, you\u2019re not just hoping someone will pay rent on time; you\u2019re trusting a stranger with your asset.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So take the time to screen like a pro. Set your criteria upfront. Use a platform that gives you the whole picture, and don\u2019t settle for background checks that leave you guessing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TurboTenant makes it simple, affordable, and accurate. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> over $3 billion in rent facilitated annually, millions of renter leads, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">over<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 20,000 checks processed every month, they\u2019ve already helped thousands of landlords protect their rentals from day one.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So, before you hand over the keys, take five minutes and run a <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/tenant-screening\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">tenant background check<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> that works. You\u2019ll thank yourself later.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article is presented by TurboTenant. You have finally listed your rental on the market, and applications are starting to come in. One applicant says they \u201cjust need a peaceful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":613755,"featured_media":183361,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5183],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landlording"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/613755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183648\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/183361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}