tenant screening platform

Houston, Texas
Real Estate Technology
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tenant screening platform

Rashid Khalil
Member since 2022 · 88 posts · 29 votes

Please share your experience and recommendations for tenant screening software 

also general preferred platform for rental management (stessa / avail / baselane / turbotenant etc)

Thank you 

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Mackaylee BeachPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 492 votes
1y

INNAGO - covering everything from screenings to lease agreements and everything in between. This platform has been incredibly useful for me, offering a straightforward and easy-to-understand navigation experience.

[email protected]
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  • Stephanie Walker
    Realtor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2023 · 245 posts · 231 votes
    1y

    A lot of clients I've acquired on the management side had used Zillow and Keycheck prior to turning over to us. I've heard both good and bad about both. Do your due diligence on all - as a private landlord, your screening process is extremely important to try to avoid bad apples.

    I've also heard good things about Stessa and RentRedi. 

    2Reply
  • Chris Chisholm
    Investor · Regina, SK · Member since 2025 · 54 posts · 42 votes
    1y

    I'm Canadian so different options for me, but I use the free version of Stessa for all my financial tracking and such.  For Tenant Screening a I use SingleKey (I think it's only Canadian) for credit checks, etc.  I make good use of Google forms for screening survey's...prescreen them with a short survey before they ever get a viewing to screen out tire kickers and bottom feeders that have no business renting from me.  During the viewing ask subtle but very targeted questions..."so what did you get up to this weekend?"  "I had a party and we got wasted man..."  Thanks for your time, here's an application if you want (flag the name as definite no).  Search applicants on social media or the internet...The application says they don't smoke and have no pets but they are posting pics with a dog and a smoke in their mouth?  Definite no.  When calling references purposely give them wrong information to see if they correct you..."So John rented 123 Main street from Jan 2020 until Feb 2024"  "no, it was 456 That Street from Feb 2021 until Feb 2024"  "My bad, I was looking at the wrong file..."  Good chance it's an honest reference.  If they don't correct you and agree to the incorrect information, chances are it's the tenants friend lying for them.  Ask the previous 2-3 landlords...the current one might lie to get rid of a crappy tenant.  Software will only get you so far.  Boots on the ground will give you a lot more info to screen tenants to get solid ones.

    2Reply
  • Daniel TanasaBusiness Member
    Realtor · Houston, TX · Member since 2019 · 351 posts · 174 votes
    1y

    Hello Rashid, 

    I am using TenantCloud for rental management. They use to have a free option but now is $17 a month for the cheapest option. I am pretty happy with them. Zillow and Apartments.com can make some decent free options for starting out.

    For tenant screening I use TenantBackgroundsearch.com. 

    As was already mentioned, make sure you call the previous landlords and employers, and do your gut check when something feels off. 

    Good luck!

    2Reply
  • Mackaylee BeachPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 492 votes
    1y

    INNAGO - covering everything from screenings to lease agreements and everything in between. This platform has been incredibly useful for me, offering a straightforward and easy-to-understand navigation experience.

    [email protected]
    5Reply
    • Jillyan MacMorris
      Rental Property Investor · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2021 · 72 posts · 54 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Mackaylee Beach:

      INNAGO - covering everything from screenings to lease agreements and everything in between. This platform has been incredibly useful for me, offering a straightforward and easy-to-understand navigation experience.

      I really like Innago, too! It works well for a lot of management functionality. I use it in conjunction with Baselane for the banking and accounting! They are complementary because neither has the full functionality of the other, but there is some overlap. It's been really smooth and intuitive me to use these together!

      3Reply
    • Rashid Khalil
      OP
      Member since 2022 · 88 posts · 29 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Jillyan MacMorris:
      Quote from @Mackaylee Beach:

      INNAGO - covering everything from screenings to lease agreements and everything in between. This platform has been incredibly useful for me, offering a straightforward and easy-to-understand navigation experience.

      I really like Innago, too! It works well for a lot of management functionality. I use it in conjunction with Baselane for the banking and accounting! They are complementary because neither has the full functionality of the other, but there is some overlap. It's been really smooth and intuitive me to use these together!


       i will try innago

      i am trying to find a platform that can help communicate with tenants and keep a record of my responses

      Currently getting texts on my personal phone from tenants  

      1Reply
  • Jim Berman
    Property Manager · Houston TX · Member since 2025 · 20 posts · 11 votes
    1y

    Most realtors I know that handle rental applications here in Houston use www.mysmartmove.com 

    It seems to be the most common platform I've seen used by non-PM companies

    I'd also suggest signing up for www.petscreening.com It's free for you, and charges an applicant $35. They verify a lot of pet details but most importantly do thorough reviews of service/assistance animals to valid their legitimacy. Fake ESA/Service Animal paperwork is very easily obtained and it's a very litigious subject to get wrong. They validate the paperwork and legitimacy of the provider as part of their screening, and know what to safely request to keep you protected from fair housing violations. I believe they've found over 60% of applicants that begin to claim to have a service or esa animal end up converting their screening to a traditional pet. 

    3Reply
  • Carlos Hennings
    Lancaster, NY · Member since 2021 · 88 posts · 52 votes
    1y

    Not all background checks are the same. Here's a breakdown to consider when evaluating tenant screening software:

    Tenant Screening Components

    • ➤ Credit Reports

      •  Typically consistent when pulled from the same bureau.

      •  ⚠️ Judgments & Liens are no longer included in any credit report—these must be run as separate searches.

    • ➤ Criminal & Eviction Records

      •  Vary by provider depending on data sources, update frequency, and filtering practices.

      •  Some services offer more comprehensive or nationwide coverage.

    • ➤ Identity & Income Verification

      •  Not always included by default.

      •  Some platforms offer automated tools, others may require manual document uploads.

    Rental Management Platforms

    • ➤ Financial Tracking & Reporting

      •  Look for options that sync with your bank and provide cash flow dashboards and tax reports.

    • ➤ Lease Management

      •  Useful features include e-signing, lease templates, and secure storage.

    • ➤ Tenant Communication & Maintenance

      •  Portals for rent payments, maintenance requests, and messaging help streamline daily management.

    Trying a few platforms via demos or free trials can help you find what fits your needs best. Hope this helps!

    1Reply
  • Nicole Heasley Beitenman
    Investor · Youngstown, OH · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    Stessa and Baselane are what I typically see recommended. I used to use tenantbackgroundsearch.com, but I switched to KeyCheck when I got on Furnished Finder after switching to an MTR model. Now we use RentRedi.

    0Reply
  • Rashid Khalil
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 88 posts · 29 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Yanik Parsch:
    Quote from @Rashid Khalil:

    Please share your experience and recommendations for tenant screening software 

    also general preferred platform for rental management (stessa / avail / baselane / turbotenant etc)

    Thank you 


    For tenant screening, Baselane partners with TransUnion through RentSpree, so you can send a screening request directly through the platform—credit, background, and eviction reports included. Super smooth process and no cost to you as the landlord; the applicant pays the screening fee.

    For overall management, I’ve found Baselane to be the most complete free platform. It covers rent collection, lease tracking, property-specific accounting, and even gives you high-yield banking for deposits and reserves. It's great if you're looking to scale without stacking on subscriptions.

    Stessa is solid for tracking finances but doesn’t offer rent collection or screening. Avail has more tenant-facing features, but I found Baselane easier to navigate and more modern overall.

    If you're looking for a streamlined, all-in-one setup with solid screening included, Baselane’s a strong option to consider.


     I have been on Baselane for 1 year, i have 10 properties on it, like the book keeping/banking / rent collection, etc. But the Tenant screening i tried was very unimpressive, missed key information. 

    0Reply
  • Melanie Lovejoy
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 17 posts · 17 votes
    1y

    Baselane is nice to have everything in one place - banking, bookkeeping, & screening/property management. 

    I will say i think it is imperative when conducting screenings that you ALWAYS call references. Call a few landlords back - the most recent one may give a glowing review to get rid of the tenant, but older landlords will give you honest reviews. 

    2Reply
  • Jillyan MacMorris
    Rental Property Investor · Chicago Suburbs, IL · Member since 2021 · 72 posts · 54 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Rashid Khalil:
    Quote from @Yanik Parsch:
    Quote from @Rashid Khalil:

    Please share your experience and recommendations for tenant screening software 

    also general preferred platform for rental management (stessa / avail / baselane / turbotenant etc)

    Thank you 


    For tenant screening, Baselane partners with TransUnion through RentSpree, so you can send a screening request directly through the platform—credit, background, and eviction reports included. Super smooth process and no cost to you as the landlord; the applicant pays the screening fee.

    For overall management, I’ve found Baselane to be the most complete free platform. It covers rent collection, lease tracking, property-specific accounting, and even gives you high-yield banking for deposits and reserves. It's great if you're looking to scale without stacking on subscriptions.

    Stessa is solid for tracking finances but doesn’t offer rent collection or screening. Avail has more tenant-facing features, but I found Baselane easier to navigate and more modern overall.

    If you're looking for a streamlined, all-in-one setup with solid screening included, Baselane’s a strong option to consider.


     I have been on Baselane for 1 year, i have 10 properties on it, like the book keeping/banking / rent collection, etc. But the Tenant screening i tried was very unimpressive, missed key information. 


     Which information was missing from the tenant screening, that you noticed?

    0Reply
  • Moyosore Ajeigbe
    Member since 2024 · 1 post · 4 votes
    1y

    Definitely Baselane for me. They have tenant screening functionality where you can easily create custom, state-compliant leases with templates and get them e-signed or if you already have a lease, you can upload it and have it e-signed.  You can also upload and store any signed leases for free, so all your documents stay organized. I think you can create and manage as many leases as you need, and everything is neatly grouped by property or unit to keep things simple and organized.

    4Reply
  • Rashid Khalil
    OP
    Member since 2022 · 88 posts · 29 votes
    1y

    they are missing tenant communication function i think

    0Reply
  • Dave SpoonerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 869 posts · 823 votes
    1y

    Hey @Rashid Khalil, if you have any questions as you get started with Innago, feel free to reach out!

    I'm fairly active on these forums and I'm always up for connecting to see how we can help. 

    [email protected]
    0Reply
  • Eric Silvers
    Member since 2025 · 10 posts · 10 votes
    1y

    We use Baselane for our Property Management Needs.  We love Baselane and tenant screening is a breeze with the platform.   It is also very cost effective and the landlord can decide what type of screening they desire. 

    We also love Baselane from a property management and banking standpoint. Rent collection and rent tracking as well as lease tracking is a breeze. In addition, creating invoices is a breeze also and the ability to open several different checking accounts (such as one for each property) is also easy. And, they have very competitive APR's with the savings accounts. Check them out.... Good Luck..Eric

    0Reply
  • Ava Johns
    New to Real Estate · Denver, CO · Member since 2024 · 14 posts · 3 votes
    1y

    Hi Rashid, 

    Be careful when choosing a tenant screening software. A recent study just reported that traditional screening reports (like the credit bureaus) can be less than 86% accurate when identifying felons and sex offenders. Some more information here. 

    It's important to make sure whatever service you choose pulls from multiple sources and is identifying any gaps in reporting! If you have questions on TurboTenant's screening reports, I'm happy to answer.

    0Reply
  • Rachid AbadliBusiness Member
    Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2024 · 125 posts · 33 votes
    4h

    The standalone screening services (SmartMove, RentPrep, MyRental) all pull from the same bureaus — TransUnion or Equifax. The reports are nearly identical. What matters more is the workflow: does screening feed into your lease, or do you screenshot the report and manually decide?

    If you're using a PM platform (TurboTenant, Avail, RentRedi), their built-in screening is fine and keeps everything in one system. If you want standalone, SmartMove by TransUnion is the most comprehensive. Either way, have your written screening criteria BEFORE you run the first report — consistency is your Fair Housing protection.

    LeaseBase.ai
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    • Carlos Hennings
      Lancaster, NY · Member since 2021 · 88 posts · 52 votes
      2h

      @Rachid Abadli Actually, that is not quite accurate. RentPrep does not pull from the same bureaus as automated systems. The reports are not even in the same category when you compare them side by side.


      For credit only, RentPrep uses TransUnion. Every other search pulls from separate data providers, and on top of that, RentPrep's screeners manually call courts to fill in missing record information. That is something no automated system does.

      0Reply
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