Ultimate Guide to Tenant Screening & Renting Your House

BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes

We just completed one of the more important guides for landlords and I thought it important that we make it visible here on the forums. These are both MUST-READS!

Tenant Screening: The Ultimate Guide
At over 5,000+ Words -- This Ultimate Guide to Tenant Screening (plus infographic) is the perfect reference tool for both novice and experienced landlords alike.

We also recommend everyone take time to check out:

How To Rent Your House: The Definitive Step by Step Guide
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a new landlord, this definitive guide will teach you, step by step, how to rent your house to new tenants with success.

Podcast Guest on Show #100

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Carole G.

Investor · Durango, CO · Member since 2008 · 163 posts · 59 votes

12y

How much does SmartMove cost for the screening? I've read all the FAQs, and can't find a price anywhere.

26 Reply

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James Vermillion
Lexington, KY · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
13y
Excellent timing, we just placed our first rental property for rent and had over 10 calls and 2 showing in the first 8 hours. Very helpful!
17 Reply
Karyn Kline
Fort Collins, CO · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote
12y
This is really great stuff - thanks so much for sharing! I will definitely check out Smart Move.
1 Reply
Carole G.
Investor · Durango, CO · Member since 2008 · 163 posts · 59 votes
12y
How much does SmartMove cost for the screening? I've read all the FAQs, and can't find a price anywhere.
26 Reply
Joshua D.Pro Member
OP
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
12y
@Carole G. - Here's a link to the pricing page: https://biggerpockets.mysmartmove.com/tenant-credit-check.html

You'll note that the price is discounted by $5 over what you'd pay directly with SmartMove because of our partner discount.
Podcast Guest on Show #100
9 Reply
Andrew Kerr
Rental Property Investor · Everywhere, USA · Member since 2012 · 689 posts · 525 votes
12y
I have used smartmove and it has worked out great. The problem I am now running into is on some of my low income housing, they don't have access to the internet. So getting them to get access to a computer, then get online and fill out the application is quite tough.

Anyone have suggestions for tenant screening companies where you don't need an email address for the tenant? I basically have them fill out the application by hand and sign a disclosure/release at the end so I can verify credit, background check, and other info they have.
6 Reply
Franklin Spees
Property Manager · CA · Member since 2012 · 76 posts · 54 votes
11y
@Andrew Kerr
I have run into the same issue and here are a few suggestions:
1) Use an iPad and allow the tenant to use it right there on the spot. This of course still requires them to have an email. You might even help them or encourage them to obtain an email address that they can check at the library.
2) I believe I have contacted MySmartMove and they had an alternative process that allowed you to do a manual check outside of the required email address. It might be worth checking into.
3) You can also get approved yourself to run credit checks over the phone by registering with certain credit check companies. Often they will need to come out and verify your location, business, and see if you have a shredder and other necessary business equipment I believe.
I will say that now that I have been using the management software Buildium (that integrates with MySmartMove btw) I have been amazed by how many people, including lower income, are searching for rentals, applying, and even paying rent on their phones.
Best of luck to you.
3 Reply
Bryan N.
Investor · Hampton Roads, VA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 418 votes
11y
Just wanted to do a shout out for this one
http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/01/27...
This is the best. It has helped me to find drama free tenants who take care of the place time and time again. I don't use the screenig service recommended and I add a 600+ credit score required. It might take an extra week or two to find the right tenant, but it's so worth it for a drama free experience.
6 Reply
Yulia Kaygorodtseva
Plano, TX · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 9 votes
11y
Do you collect an application fee for MySmartMove application, so you can do it yourself, or do you send tenants to this web site to pay there themselves?
thank you!
7 Reply
Michael Damazo
Homeowner · Lemoore, CA · Member since 2013 · 30 posts · 6 votes
11y
This is awesome thank you @Joshua D.
2 Reply
Stephen Lovett
Investor · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2015 · 63 posts · 20 votes
11y
Is this available in PDF form anywhere?
1 Reply
Joshua D.Pro Member
OP
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
11y
No - the only way to read it is on the blog. Bookmark it and come back to it anytime. It'll be here.
Podcast Guest on Show #100
0 Reply
Sarnen Steinbarth
Commercial Real Estate Broker · Fort Collins, CO · Member since 2015 · 308 posts · 151 votes
10y
@Joshua D.
Great guide. Thanks!
1 Reply
Krista Easterly
Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
10y
Well, I must really appreciate that you have shared such an interesting and informative post. Thank you.
1 Reply
Keith Ellis
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 35 posts · 20 votes
10y
When it comes to screening prospective tenants for income, do folks rely on a service for this or simply by calling on the phone? I am about to begin screening tenants on my first place and was planning to use TransUnion's SmartMove service for background and credit checks, but was hoping there might be a one stop shop of sorts that would include income verification as well.
7 Reply
Brad Russo
Professional · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2016 · 124 posts · 31 votes
10y
There is a fantastic guide! Joshua, thank you so much. Everything I ever want to know was gathered in one article.
1 Reply
Dennis Canon
Specialist · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 221 posts · 58 votes
10y
Looking to rent my house and this will be useful. BTW, if you hit print on any website page, you can save the page as a pdf. You can save a copy on your desktop rather than going online to read it.
2 Reply
Erik Sherburne
Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2015 · 98 posts · 64 votes
9y
Great timing, I just got my third property and am working on the listing now! Thanks for the guide!
2 Reply
Deanna McCormick
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Every Land lord should read this post and download the information.
Very comprehensive information.
Thanks for keeping this at the top of the forum so it continues to be a great source for all to easily find.
3 Reply
Ian Davis
North Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2015 · 20 posts · 5 votes
9y
I'm down, but not out. I purchased a house in a good area (affluent area), but it also drained my capital reserves. I need to rent a room or two out in order to recapitalize my reserve fund. Anyhow, I need some good solid advice as to the best approach at finding a responsible renter. In short, what screening process should I follow. Any/all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
2 Reply
Brendon Grover
Real Estate Agent · PA · Member since 2017 · 63 posts · 28 votes
9y
This may be off topic slightly, but heres a question I have been wanting to ask today. If the seller of the property still has an apt rented out, what would the buyers options be if they did not want the tenant occupying?
0 Reply
Eric Worral
Investor · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2016 · 74 posts · 29 votes
9y
@Ian Davis I would start by figuring out what your screening criteria are for the rental property. Things such as pet policy, smoking policy, income requirements etc. Once you have that established you have a benchmark of what you're looking for and how you can grade tenant applicants.

That will also help keep you compliant with your screening against state/federal laws. Research your local town/city laws for landlords and also be aware of the protected classes.

Brandon hit it on the head with his guide that the pre-screening questions are important as they help weed out applicants. Then let them know you run a background check, this will weed out applicants that might be worried about a murky past.

Use your screening criteria, intuition, and combine that with a background check to measure your applicants in order to pick the very best tenant.
1 Reply
Sarah Marshall
Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
9y
New property owner here. My husband and I are about to list our first multi-unit. It sounds like most use Transunion Smartmove and have the applicant complete it themselves. Are there any who accept the application fee from the tenant and then process the application themselves? Still a good product?
The reason I ask is because we don't want to exclude potential tenants who don't have computer access. I realize renting to low-income clients can be a challenge, but we will use the same screening criteria as any other higher income applicant.

For those who asked about income screening -- just request 2 recent paycheck stubs as part of the application and do the math off the gross income. This should be pretty standard and easy for any tenant to provide.
0 Reply
Veni F.Pro Member
BiggerPockets Support · Los Banos, Laguna · Member since 2017 · 320 posts · 99 votes
9y
Welcome to the BP family @Sarah Marshall! I have listed some helpful recommendations for you:
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Welcome aboard!!!
0 Reply
Rafael Larios
Upland, CA · Member since 2015 · 56 posts · 16 votes
9y

What's Next?
A little about me. I'm 28 years old, I'm a restaurant manager/everything else for one mine and my families restaurant, just had my first kid (4moths), married (6years), and i just bought my first home 7days ago.
I purchased my first property a duplex, in Redlands CA. 940 Tribune st CA
It is a completely new build Home1751sqft,
(Unit #1) 2 bed 2 bath 2 car garage
(Unit #2) 2 bed 2 bath 1 car garage.
it is located in a decent neighborhood, but a few blocks in the wrong direction is not ideal. But a few blocks in the right direction, and you're in the right place (Downtown Redlands), a few in the other direction and you're in Redlands University.

My question is what should i be charging for rent?

What is too much?
What is too little?
Should i stay away from anything?
Should I use a property Management company?

If so, What should I be paying?
1 Reply
Brian Eilering
Real Estate Agent · Woodstock, GA · Member since 2017 · 58 posts · 28 votes
9y
I'm a little late here. I have been doing a lot of these things but certainly not all. I love the rental application much more than the one I used. More great stuff BP!
0 Reply

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