Tenant screening questions

[Leo Parshukov]

Hi everyone, 

Renting for the first time and I have a few questions for seasoned landlords:

1. Which tenant screening app/website gives the most comprehensive results? 
2. What questions you are asking tenants before renting? 
3. Any other suggestion recommendations are appreciated. 

For the context I live in jersey city and it is an owner occupied two family and I'm renting the second unit. 

[Drew Sygit]

@Leo Parshukov it's NOT the screening app that makes a difference, it's knowing how to interpret the data!

FICO scores and other risk scores can be misleading if there's not enough tradelines over at least a 48 month period. For some reason, FICO appears to recognize students loans in deferrment:(

Best questions to ask prosepects;
1) When are you looking to move?
2) Why aren't you renewing your exisiting lease? (lease ending is NOT an acceptable answer!)
3) How many people & pets?

Do yourself a favor and Google, "Rental Application Fraud" and read to learn.

One of the frauds we see most often is applicants claiming they live with relatives - when in fact their behind on their rent with their current landlord. 
- A screening app should provide their last several years of reported addresses. Research those in the last 2 years to find owners and use Whitepages to get owner phone numbers. 

Best advice: assume every applicant is lying until they provide documentation to prove otherwise.