Tenant screening, background check on Zillow

Chicago, Illinois
Tenant Screening
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Tenant screening, background check on Zillow

Diane Mendoza
Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes

Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

Thank you in advance.

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Peter StewartBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 160 posts · 168 votes
2y

When I used to self manage my properties I used MySmartMove and felt it was a very good screening process - it checks all the main things you need to check (criminal history, bankruptcy/foreclosure history, credit, etc). And it's easy to send the link to the prospective tenant so they can complete the app and pay for it directly. Once done the report gets sent directly to you and they give a recommendation on whether or not to accept the tenant. 

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  • Kevin Sobilo
    Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y

    @Diane Mendoza, only reasonable if you wish to do so at your own cost.

    It isn't reasonable to force the applicant to pay twice because you decided to change your application screening process. 

    1Reply
  • Peter StewartBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 160 posts · 168 votes
    2y

    When I used to self manage my properties I used MySmartMove and felt it was a very good screening process - it checks all the main things you need to check (criminal history, bankruptcy/foreclosure history, credit, etc). And it's easy to send the link to the prospective tenant so they can complete the app and pay for it directly. Once done the report gets sent directly to you and they give a recommendation on whether or not to accept the tenant. 

    [email protected]317-450-9202Podcast Guest on Show Deal Deep Dive: 2 Real Deals in 2023 That’ll Build Your Retirement Nest Egg
    Peter Stewart Realty4.968 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    5Reply
  • Diane Mendoza
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Kevin Sobilo:

    @Diane Mendoza, only reasonable if you wish to do so at your own cost.

    It isn't reasonable to force the applicant to pay twice because you decided to change your application screening process. 

    I agree! Thank you for your input! 
    1Reply
  • Diane Mendoza
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Peter Stewart:

    When I used to self manage my properties I used MySmartMove and felt it was a very good screening process - it checks all the main things you need to check (criminal history, bankruptcy/foreclosure history, credit, etc). And it's easy to send the link to the prospective tenant so they can complete the app and pay for it directly. Once done the report gets sent directly to you and they give a recommendation on whether or not to accept the tenant. 


     Thank you! I send her a request with costs covered by me as she already paid the Zillow application fee. Although with that 35 dollar cost from Zillow, she has the liberty to apply to as many apartments in a 30 day period. 

    1Reply
  • Paul De Luca
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:

    Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

    Thank you in advance.


     Interesting, I never knew Zillow Rental Manager wasn't considered reliable. I've used their credit and background checks for years without issues except for one fraudulent tenant/application.

    I have noticed on most of the applications I don't see anything pop up for the background check but the credit check seems pretty thorough. I also use Forewarn to screen applicants which does catch things that don't show up on the background check. Sometimes they are noteworthy and sometimes not.

    I don't think it's reasonable to charge people two application fees so it's probably just best to get your leads through Zillow and then have them apply on a different website to screen them.

    1Reply
  • Lin Yin
    Member since 2022 · 13 posts · 10 votes
    2y

    Actually, all background check websites are useless for eviction history records. Not sure what state you are in, but in MA, eviction records don't always show up in background checks. You have to go to the court online docket and physically type in their names to check for records. I've screens tenants who had multiple eviction histories but background check comes back clear. Not sure why this is the case

    2Reply
  • Kevin Garvey
    Realtor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 29 posts · 12 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Kevin Sobilo:

    @Diane Mendoza, only reasonable if you wish to do so at your own cost.

    It isn't reasonable to force the applicant to pay twice because you decided to change your application screening process. 

    exactly this - don’t make the tenant double pay 
    1Reply
  • Corby GoadeBusiness Member
    Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:

    Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

    Thank you in advance.


     Yes, it's completely unreasonable to ask your applicants to pay more because you made a mistake. I'd reccomend that you sit down and come up with very specific and clear screening criteria and processes and share those on your listings so tenants know exactly what they are in for from the start. That way there is no grey area. 

    0Reply
  • Diane Mendoza
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Corby Goade:
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:

    Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

    Thank you in advance.


     Yes, it's completely unreasonable to ask your applicants to pay more because you made a mistake. I'd reccomend that you sit down and come up with very specific and clear screening criteria and processes and share those on your listings so tenants know exactly what they are in for from the start. That way there is no grey area. 


     Thank you! I do agree it is unreasonable to charge twice, I did plan on covering her application fee for the other report but I did not know whether two applications would affect her credit negatively, which I do not want. That was my concern. 

    That is very helpful, I definitely needed a clearer screening and application process. 

    1Reply
  • Diane Mendoza
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Paul De Luca:
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:

    Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

    Thank you in advance.


     Interesting, I never knew Zillow Rental Manager wasn't considered reliable. I've used their credit and background checks for years without issues except for one fraudulent tenant/application.

    I have noticed on most of the applications I don't see anything pop up for the background check but the credit check seems pretty thorough. I also use Forewarn to screen applicants which does catch things that don't show up on the background check. Sometimes they are noteworthy and sometimes not.

    I don't think it's reasonable to charge people two application fees so it's probably just best to get your leads through Zillow and then have them apply on a different website to screen them.


     I'm glad to hear about your experiences with Zillow. How did you discover that the application was fraudulent? 

    1Reply
  • Paul De Luca
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:
    Quote from @Paul De Luca:
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:

    Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

    Thank you in advance.


     Interesting, I never knew Zillow Rental Manager wasn't considered reliable. I've used their credit and background checks for years without issues except for one fraudulent tenant/application.

    I have noticed on most of the applications I don't see anything pop up for the background check but the credit check seems pretty thorough. I also use Forewarn to screen applicants which does catch things that don't show up on the background check. Sometimes they are noteworthy and sometimes not.

    I don't think it's reasonable to charge people two application fees so it's probably just best to get your leads through Zillow and then have them apply on a different website to screen them.


     I'm glad to hear about your experiences with Zillow. How did you discover that the application was fraudulent? 


     Little things started to add up and led us to believe the tenant was not who she said she was. Mail with other peoples' names coming to the property, employer and residence addresses not matching on her application documents.

    0Reply
  • Joseph Konney
    Real Estate Agent · Forest Park, IL · Member since 2014 · 255 posts · 141 votes
    2y

    In my opinion, the fidelity of Zillow reports are not that great. If I like the applicant, I'll often eat the cost of a supplemental report. I also have the tenant fill out my own application to get additional information that is not provided in the zillow profile / report. For example, SSN and validate it with a 3rd party background check company. 

    I am using National Tenant Network https://ntnonline.com/ to run reports. 

    2Reply
  • Grace GudenkaufPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tucson AZ · Member since 2023 · 35 posts · 18 votes
    2y

    I agree that if you are going to require a second check that you should pay for it. 

    0Reply
  • David Gantcher
    CO · Member since 2026 · 14 posts · 1 vote
    6mo

    There are two inherent flaws in the system that won’t ever be solved: the SSN field is not required to be filled out, and you might receive an “unavailable” result instead of an actual result. The other is that the data is from a national database and lacks eviction data on a county level altogether. If a landlord is literally on a state line and an eviction occurred in the next county over, they’re almost guaranteed to miss it.

    For income verification, I’ve had to change my strategy to verify through an open banking connection instead of physical documents. A bank connection can’t be falsified like a stub or a bank statement.

    The eviction problem is a bit harder to solve because there’s no system that really works on a national level.

    0Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    6mo
    Quote from @Diane Mendoza:

    Hi all! I bought a 2-unit property and now in the process of screening tenants. I am currently using Zillow to screen tenants and had the application option turned on so I have candidates who paid $35.00 for the Zillow application fee. I noticed on the forums that many landlords do not find Zillow background check and credit check reliable. Is it completely unreasonable to request another background check through a more reliable engine like Mysmartmoves.com? 

    Thank you in advance.


     One-size-fits-all systems, like Zillow has implemented, are designed for vanilla applications.

    Which, in our opinion, means Class A applicants and 80% of Class B - only!

    The rest, it does a poor job with - but, they will NEVER tell or admit to this😯

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
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    0Reply
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