A consistent screening process protects you and every applicant. A few habits that help:

1. Write the criteria down first. Income, rental history and credit standards in writing before the rental is advertised.

2. Same checks for everyone. Same application, same checks, same order for every applicant. No shortcuts for one and extra hoops for another.

3. Verify, don't guess. Confirm income and contact prior landlords the same way each time. In California, housing vouchers are a protected source of income, so count them like any other income.

4. Keep the record. Note why each application was approved or declined, and keep the file.

General information, not legal advice.

For those who screen your own applicants, what's the one step you never skip?