Showing process, do you show property first or have credit/employment ran
Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 192 votes
Showing process, do you show property first or have credit/employment ran
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Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3yAloha,
Of course this may work better or worse for your particular location and type of properties, but my preference is to request they call to schedule a showing. We then show the unit, answer general questions, and if they ask about the application process, I will give them an application and advise them of the process.
Part of my unspoken "screening" is to see if they follow the instructions to call for scheduling; and, do they show up at all/on time for the showing. Sure, I lose some time for those that blow off the appointment (how the H do you not make it to an appointment made two hours ago?), but it tells me they had little to no respect for me/my time, they are disorganized, and they do not have the courtesy to call and cancel. I would not want them as tenants anyway, and usually I can still be productive with my time spent waiting (never more than 15 minutes).
Part 2 of my screening, for those that do show up, after they have had a look around, is to wait and see if they are interested enough to ASK about the application process. If they do not, of course I offer them an application before leaving, unless they state they are not interested for some reason. In addition to the notice that is on the back of the application regarding "renting as is, no additional cleaning or repairs without written approval of PM" and other caveats, I also explain the actual process, basic factors for approval, the documentation they need to provide, cost and payment method for application and for move in should they be approved.
If they have not followed all of the instructions, people with poor attitude and that are non-compliant are not a protected class under fair housing, and they may be disqualified. Again, these may well be indicators of likely future behavior. I like happy, organized tenants that make an effort to follow the rules. As reward, I will provide a clean, safe, functional home and be responsive to routine service requests.
Of course this may work better or worse for your particular location and type of properties, but my preference is to request they call to schedule a showing. We then show the unit, answer general questions, and if they ask about the application process, I will give them an application and advise them of the process.
Part of my unspoken "screening" is to see if they follow the instructions to call for scheduling; and, do they show up at all/on time for the showing. Sure, I lose some time for those that blow off the appointment (how the H do you not make it to an appointment made two hours ago?), but it tells me they had little to no respect for me/my time, they are disorganized, and they do not have the courtesy to call and cancel. I would not want them as tenants anyway, and usually I can still be productive with my time spent waiting (never more than 15 minutes).
Part 2 of my screening, for those that do show up, after they have had a look around, is to wait and see if they are interested enough to ASK about the application process. If they do not, of course I offer them an application before leaving, unless they state they are not interested for some reason. In addition to the notice that is on the back of the application regarding "renting as is, no additional cleaning or repairs without written approval of PM" and other caveats, I also explain the actual process, basic factors for approval, the documentation they need to provide, cost and payment method for application and for move in should they be approved.
If they have not followed all of the instructions, people with poor attitude and that are non-compliant are not a protected class under fair housing, and they may be disqualified. Again, these may well be indicators of likely future behavior. I like happy, organized tenants that make an effort to follow the rules. As reward, I will provide a clean, safe, functional home and be responsive to routine service requests.
26 Replies
- Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes3yAloha,
Of course this may work better or worse for your particular location and type of properties, but my preference is to request they call to schedule a showing. We then show the unit, answer general questions, and if they ask about the application process, I will give them an application and advise them of the process.
Part of my unspoken "screening" is to see if they follow the instructions to call for scheduling; and, do they show up at all/on time for the showing. Sure, I lose some time for those that blow off the appointment (how the H do you not make it to an appointment made two hours ago?), but it tells me they had little to no respect for me/my time, they are disorganized, and they do not have the courtesy to call and cancel. I would not want them as tenants anyway, and usually I can still be productive with my time spent waiting (never more than 15 minutes).
Part 2 of my screening, for those that do show up, after they have had a look around, is to wait and see if they are interested enough to ASK about the application process. If they do not, of course I offer them an application before leaving, unless they state they are not interested for some reason. In addition to the notice that is on the back of the application regarding "renting as is, no additional cleaning or repairs without written approval of PM" and other caveats, I also explain the actual process, basic factors for approval, the documentation they need to provide, cost and payment method for application and for move in should they be approved.
If they have not followed all of the instructions, people with poor attitude and that are non-compliant are not a protected class under fair housing, and they may be disqualified. Again, these may well be indicators of likely future behavior. I like happy, organized tenants that make an effort to follow the rules. As reward, I will provide a clean, safe, functional home and be responsive to routine service requests. - Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes3y
@Jeremiah Dunakin most people don't want to plunk down the fees for the background check before they are interested in renting the property. I do a somewhat open house. Usually Friday evenings and Saturdays. When people call, I schedule appointments 15 minutes apart. Some of your potential tenants will flake out and not show up but your are only 15 minutes from the next showing.
- Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 192 votes3y
Thank you all who replied! I have scheduled showings. I do get it. Put down 35$ and have credit ran for a property they may not even want. Thanks again
@Jeremiah Dunakin
At least ask pre-qualifying questions and state your criteria up front. Otherwise, you will waste a lot of time with unqualified prospects.
I’m not a fan of the Zillow application, but at least it’s “portable” to the tenant - they pay Zillow one fee and their info is available to multiple landlords provided landlords use Zillow to list the rental.
- Property Manager · Watertown, NY · Member since 2021 · 142 posts · 78 votes3yFill out an application or complete credit/background check, no.
Quote from @Jeremiah Dunakin:
Hello, first time landlord here. I recently renovated my first rental property. We listed on Facebook got around 25 inquiries. Also listed on rent redi. My question is this do you make prospective tenants fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first. Or do you show property?Like I stated we have about 25 people ask but I’ve been sending link to do checks first and no one has responded and filled them out. I’m thinking I’m doing it backwards.I just don’t want to show the house to tire kickers. What say you guys?
However, I do have quite an intensive pre screening form I complete over the phone before I will schedule an appointment. It includes income (gross) per month for the household, estimated credit scores if known, reason for moving, known credit or background blemishes, where they are currently living, when they are looking to move in, ect.
This helps me to understand their situation better and avoids wasting time on unqualified tenants (or tenants that don't want to move for another 6 months). If they don't qualify due to income, I put them in contact with the local hosing authorities to see if it's possible for them to receive rental assistance though programs such as section 8 and always encourage them to contact me back if they do so we can work with them.
Your inbox here on BiggerPockets has a message from me with my screening guidelines document attached that you are free to use.- Member since 2025 · 1 post · 0 votes9mo
Would you kindly send that document for Screening guidelines please? It would greatly help me as im trying to find a new tenant.
- Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes3y
Depends on what market I'm in. I let realtors handle showings, anyone and everyone can walk and apply, making the barrier of entry harder might throw some good tenants off.
- Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 192 votes3y
Thank you all for responses. So we have 40+ inquiries from Facebook. My thoughts on that is you get a lot of traffic, but you also get a lot of bad traffic. We changed the info from qualifying to the free pre qualifiers on rent redi. I get people do not want to run credit without seeing the house. I would too. I had one lady with a questionable credit score be interested. I only agree to show her house because I work with her(she does not know that) and I know that she can make as much money as she wants(we can work 7 days a week 16hours a day if we want to). The first day she was supposed to come she was “sick” the reschedule she never showed up and never got back with me. I think she is gonna be a no. That said screening tenants has been a pain in the butt kinda. My wife handles it from her Facebook.My next thought is to put house on Zillow to maybe get a different set of eyes on it. Thank u all who have replied. I trully thank you.
- Member since 2022 · 7 posts · 2 votes3y
Hey Jeremiah! Something I and I know others have done that makes it a little easier. I just created a quick Google Form as a Pre-Application that asks some basic credit, income, and situation questions.
When the hundreds of people message you on Facebook I just say it’s available and send the link saying I will get back to them if they fill it out.
If they don’t fill it out then they probably aren’t super interested or worth taking the time to show and this way you can already screen the possible tenants without having to show the unit a ton.
Best of luck!- New to Real Estate · Chesapeake, VA · Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 2 votes11mo
Quote from @Preston Loveland:
Hey Jeremiah! Something I and I know others have done that makes it a little easier. I just created a quick Google Form as a Pre-Application that asks some basic credit, income, and situation questions.
When the hundreds of people message you on Facebook I just say it’s available and send the link saying I will get back to them if they fill it out.
If they don’t fill it out then they probably aren’t super interested or worth taking the time to show and this way you can already screen the possible tenants without having to show the unit a ton.
Best of luck!@Preston Loveland, We are renting our first home and I created a google form for the same purposes based on Brandon Turner's book on Managing Rental Properties. Do you still use this form and has it helped you screen?
- Member since 2020 · 18 posts · 6 votes3y
Quote from @Amber Forkey:
Your inbox here on BiggerPockets has a message from me with my screening guidelines document attached that you are free to use.Would you mind sharing that document with me @Amber Forkey? TIA!
- Property Manager · Watertown, NY · Member since 2021 · 142 posts · 78 votes3y
Quote from @Chris Troutman:
Quote from @Amber Forkey:
Your inbox here on BiggerPockets has a message from me with my screening guidelines document attached that you are free to use.Would you mind sharing that document with me @Amber Forkey? TIA!
Absolutely, sending over to you now!
- 3yCliff H.Pro MemberRental Property Investor · Nashua, NH · Member since 2014 · 599 posts · 477 votes
There's screening and there's pre-screening: have a written and consistent process for both that you follow every single time.
The concern over wasting time is also fixed by reducing the "cost" of your showings - mine are all automated and self service which makes them infinitely safer and more scalable.
- Investor · Member since 2022 · 112 posts · 150 votes3y
Quote from @Amber Forkey:
Fill out an application or complete credit/background check, no.Quote from @Jeremiah Dunakin:
Hello, first time landlord here. I recently renovated my first rental property. We listed on Facebook got around 25 inquiries. Also listed on rent redi. My question is this do you make prospective tenants fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first. Or do you show property?Like I stated we have about 25 people ask but I’ve been sending link to do checks first and no one has responded and filled them out. I’m thinking I’m doing it backwards.I just don’t want to show the house to tire kickers. What say you guys?
However, I do have quite an intensive pre screening form I complete over the phone before I will schedule an appointment. It includes income (gross) per month for the household, estimated credit scores if known, reason for moving, known credit or background blemishes, where they are currently living, when they are looking to move in, ect.
This helps me to understand their situation better and avoids wasting time on unqualified tenants (or tenants that don't want to move for another 6 months). If they don't qualify due to income, I put them in contact with the local hosing authorities to see if it's possible for them to receive rental assistance though programs such as section 8 and always encourage them to contact me back if they do so we can work with them.
Your inbox here on BiggerPockets has a message from me with my screening guidelines document attached that you are free to use.@Amber Forkey Would you mind sending me your guidelines as well? Id love to learn from them. Thank you!
- Property Manager · Watertown, NY · Member since 2021 · 142 posts · 78 votes3y
Quote from @Luke Stewart:
Quote from @Amber Forkey:
Fill out an application or complete credit/background check, no.Quote from @Jeremiah Dunakin:
Hello, first time landlord here. I recently renovated my first rental property. We listed on Facebook got around 25 inquiries. Also listed on rent redi. My question is this do you make prospective tenants fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first. Or do you show property?Like I stated we have about 25 people ask but I’ve been sending link to do checks first and no one has responded and filled them out. I’m thinking I’m doing it backwards.I just don’t want to show the house to tire kickers. What say you guys?
However, I do have quite an intensive pre screening form I complete over the phone before I will schedule an appointment. It includes income (gross) per month for the household, estimated credit scores if known, reason for moving, known credit or background blemishes, where they are currently living, when they are looking to move in, ect.
This helps me to understand their situation better and avoids wasting time on unqualified tenants (or tenants that don't want to move for another 6 months). If they don't qualify due to income, I put them in contact with the local hosing authorities to see if it's possible for them to receive rental assistance though programs such as section 8 and always encourage them to contact me back if they do so we can work with them.
Your inbox here on BiggerPockets has a message from me with my screening guidelines document attached that you are free to use.@Amber Forkey Would you mind sending me your guidelines as well? Id love to learn from them. Thank you!
Absolutely! Sending them now.
- Wilmette, IL · Member since 2018 · 1 post · 0 votes3y
@Amber Forkey Would you mind sending me your guidelines as well? Id love to learn from them. Thank you!
- Realtor · Orland Park, IL · Member since 2015 · 22 posts · 9 votes3y
@Amber Forkey Would you mind sending me your guidelines as well?
- Property Manager · Watertown, NY · Member since 2021 · 142 posts · 78 votes3y
@Suzanne Ciba and @Sharie Jackson they are in your inbox now :)
- Rental Property Investor · 18018 · Member since 2022 · 4 posts · 2 votes3y
Quote from @Bill Crow:
@Jeremiah Dunakin
At least ask pre-qualifying questions and state your criteria up front. Otherwise, you will waste a lot of time with unqualified prospects.
I’m not a fan of the Zillow application, but at least it’s “portable” to the tenant - they pay Zillow one fee and their info is available to multiple landlords provided landlords use Zillow to list the rental.
Hi Bill,
Why aren't you a fan of the Zillow app? I use it with additional due diligence.
- Real Estate Broker · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 569 posts · 351 votes3y
If you market your rentals and ask prospective tenants to fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first could be very likely a Fair Housing violation! At 25 inquiries, I would do a Rental Open House and give everyone the same chance to apply.
- Rental Property Investor · 18018 · Member since 2022 · 4 posts · 2 votes3y
Hi Jeremiah,
Congrats! Me too! I learned so much during the tenant screening process. Biggest takeaway...It can be draining. As many forums and housing provider groups suggest, properties are vacant longer and the applicant pool is poor.
I started out on the major websites Zillow, Redfin, HotPads, Trulia, etc. Facebook marketplace received the most inquires but was by far the most time consuming as I answered EVERY inquiry with the qualifications which thankfully, weeded A LOT of people out. I did an open house, had a Google doc pre-screening survey and scheduled showings. Prospects were unreliable - canceled at the last minute or didn't show up. I moved to a $15 refundable showing fee via Cash App when they show up or the Zillow app which also helped weed people out. I highly recommend a showing fee or an app on Zillow or any other that runs credit, background, and eviction history before scheduling showings. Applicants need to put some skin in the game and respect your time, because after all you're investing your time, gas, etc to show the property and screen tenants.
Note: I have RentRedi, but their system was annoying to list so I used Zillow's app. However, I am using it to manage my units.
All the best!
- Rental Property Investor · 18018 · Member since 2022 · 4 posts · 2 votes3y
Quote from @Kai Kopsch:
If you market your rentals and ask prospective tenants to fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first could be very likely a Fair Housing violation! At 25 inquiries, I would do a Rental Open House and give everyone the same chance to apply.
Hi Kai,
How is it a Fair Housing violation if everyone has to meet the same qualifications? 25 Facebook inquiries doesn't always translate to 25 people showing up and your time not being wasted.
- 3yMelanie ThomasBusiness MemberReal Estate Broker · San Antonio · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 490 votesWe do unaccompanied showings on our vacant homes to avoid wasting our time. Good luck & happy investing!
RentWerx Property Management4.73308 Reviews I pretty much always have a prospective tenant meet me at the house for a viewing before I have them fill out an application. This does exclude some out of state applications who want to sign a contract for the property sight unsceen. I don't want these applicants anyway as they are often a problem. Out of state is fine, but come to town and view the house before you apply here. Before I offer to meet, I also provide my foundational requirements to them so they will know right then if they are not a good fit and there is no need to waste anyone's time. I get to meet with them in person during a showing and can screen out the obvious bad apples that way. For example, if a family comes to take a look and the kids are out of control running around the house slamming doors, this family is not for me. I don't care if they have kids. I do care if they do not show respect for the property. If the applicant reeks of cigarettes, they are not for me. You don't get this oppertunity with unaccompanied viewings. I own the property. My skin is in this game. It can be a hassle and is time consuming and therefore an added cost to me, but I have found great value with this method. While we are talking, I ask the standard questions and learn more about them and provide them answers to their question. I offer a printed application or offer to email them a pdf of it when they leave. By this point, I have already formed a starting opinion of the applicant. I pick the best qualified applicant and don't necessarily process applications in a first in, first out order. I also offer open house times usually lasting about 2 hours when I have many interested applicants. I rely primarily on Zillow for listing and leads. I accept, but don't trust Zillow applications. It's a good start, but insufficient. Problems with the Zillow applications include, missing data: applicants fail to completely fill out the application leaving large gaps in information. I also need a separate application filled out for each adult. You rarely get this through Zillow. Information is not properly verified. Income claimed appears to be entirely unverified. Last and possibly most important, is the application does not provide the landlord sufficient legal information such as drivers license, social security number, etc... without keeping a copy of this information, it makes it difficult to hold an applicant accountable if there is a problem.
- Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 729 posts · 596 votes10mo
I do not require an app before showing the property. I do weed out the nonqualified by always sending a short blurb about the requirements before I schedule a showing. I do not even talk on the phone on first contact. Even though the requirements are listed in the ad for the property, prospects tend to ignore them in the add. I am able to easily weed out the unqualified before scheduling a showing. Here is an example of what I send as my first contact with potential renters.
Hello! Thank you so much for reaching out about the lovely home at {insert address} in {insert city}—we’re thrilled you’re interested! This cozy spot could be the perfect place for you to call home. We have a few simple qualifications: tenants should have no prior evictions, a clean criminal record, a credit score of at least 635, a steady work history with verifiable income, a minimum monthly salary of $5,700, and a positive reference from a previous landlord.
We’d love to show you around! Showings start on August 9, 2025, and we can’t wait to help you see if this is the right fit. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions—I’m here to make this process as smooth and welcoming as possible! - Specialist · Member since 2025 · 483 posts · 270 votes10mo
You’re not backwards, just missing a quick prefilter. Here’s a simple flow I use: 1) Pre‑screen first with a brief Google Form or RentRedi pre‑qual: income ≥3x rent, move‑in date, pets, occupants, deal‑breakers; 2) Offer a group showing or two time blocks to anyone who passes pre‑screen; 3) At the showing, hand out/app link and state clearly that full application, credit/background, income docs, and app fee are required within 24 hours to be considered; 4) Process apps FIFO for those who meet your written criteria. This cuts tire‑kickers, respects fair‑housing, and keeps momentum without scaring off good tenants.
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