Do you run screening in all the potential tenants?

Question

Hello folks,

When running BGC and other reports on potential tenants and having applicants pay for them, do you run them for all? Let's say it's a family of 4, do you make them all pay for the aprox $40-$50 screening package? It makes sense to me but I foresee that to be a contentious point, even more if they end up not getting the rental.

Thank you in advance!

Jonathan Greene · Answer

We require them for any tenant over 18 years old.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Every adult must be screened and approved, period.

Here's a detailed guide on how to screen applicants: Application Screening Guide

Khalid Bryan · Answer

Yes, you should screen all tenants over 18 and make sure to note the total number of occupants. Be careful not to violate any Fair Housing laws during this process. I’ve seen cases where multiple tenants in a household had prior evictions from different addresses, taking turns as the primary leaseholder to avoid detection. Screening everyone over 18 helps reduce the risk of costly evictions and ensures you’re fully informed about who will be living in your property.

Additionally, be mindful of the number of occupants and how it might impact your property. Overcrowding can strain plumbing, electrical systems, and air conditioning, leading to expensive maintenance issues. For example, if your driveway only fits two cars, you need to know if tenants plan to bring several vehicles, as this could lead to parking violations and HOA fines.

Don’t forget to screen pets, too! A website like Pet Screening can help you verify and document pets to ensure they’re a good fit for your property.

Adam Bartomeo · Answer

All adults MUST apply! How else would you know which one is the criminal?

Sylvia Santelli · Answer

What they said.....everyone over the age of 18 has to have a background/credit/ ID verification and sign the lease.

James Hampton · Answer

I stand corrected. I do run a check on any occupant on the lease over 18 years old.  I have had single women rent the place and then bring in their deadbeat boyfriends as live in until they are caught.

Luis Maqueira · Answer

My friend all it takes is a bad apple.

if you are asking, you are lucky you have not gone through a bad experience-Evicion.

Can cost YOU thousands of dollars and headaches.

yes run al person over 18

Keep it going in

Luis Maqueira MMP

Drew Sygit · Answer

@Allende Hernandez what happens if one or more occupants move out and the others stay?

So, all parties over 18 need to sign the lease.

If they are going to sign the lease, why wouldn't you screen them?

James Hampton · Answer

I only screen the tenant signing the lease. That person is responsible for anyone one else that comes into contact with your property.I suggest using a service like Mayistay. It's difficult to see how a tenant will be after screened and signing a lease. However, a lot of concerns can be mitigated with looking at their past rental behavior in a lot of different settings. Let us know how it goes.

Jonathan Soto · Answer

anyone over the age of 18

Do you run screening in all the potential tenants?

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