Renting out your property can be a lucrative investment, but it also comes with risks. One of the biggest challenges landlords face is finding reliable tenants who will pay rent on time and take care of your property. That’s where tenant screening services come in.
Tenant screening helps you assess a potential tenant’s credit history, criminal background, and rental history. By conducting thorough screenings, you can significantly reduce the risk of renting to a bad tenant, who can leave you footing the bill for unpaid rent, property damage, and legal fees.
We’ve covered the 15 best tenant screening services below, so you can determine which one will help you find reliable renters for your properties.
Key takeaways:
- Tenant screening services help you streamline the rental process and find the right tenants (who will pay rent on time and take care of your property) by providing background checks, credit reports, and rental history.
- Not all reports are the same, so make sure to look for a reputable service with screening reports that include credit information, rental history, criminal background checks, employment and ID verification, and references.
- Landlords can avoid fraud and evictions by using a next-generation tenant screening service like Baselane, which offers the most comprehensive reports available and delivers results in minutes.
1. Baselane
Baselane offers advanced 360-degree screening so you can find the best tenants. While traditional tenant screening includes credit and background checks and self-reported income, Baselane takes things further to help you avoid fraud and post-move-in surprises.
Baselane’s tenant screening includes three-way ID verification to mitigate fraud. While other services just ask a few security questions to verify identity, Baselane requires a scan of a government-issued ID ( supports 16,000+ ID types from 200+ countries) and a selfie photo taken on the tenant’s phone to complete the application.
The tenant screening report gives you access to a tenant’s rental history, criminal history, income insights, and credit reports. Unlike other screening services that only give you partial credit history, Baselane provides a full Equifax credit report, including a complete overview of the applicant’s credit score, credit accounts and balances, credit usage, payment history, collections accounts, credit inquiries, and fraud indicators.
With Baselane, you don’t have to rely on self-reported income or worry if pay stubs or bank statements are fake (which happens more than you think). Tenants must choose an income and employment verification method to complete the application. They can securely connect a bank account through Plaid or verify their payroll provider through Atomic and Pinwheel. There is an option to upload bank statements, pay stubs, and W-2 forms, which are verified through Ocrolus to immediately identify fake documents.
Baselane also provides eviction reports sourced from the largest database of U.S. housing court records, plus criminal reports with results from over 1.8 billion criminal records across 2,500+ jurisdictions to check backgrounds and rental history. Other tenant screening services have incomplete criminal and eviction data, increasing your risk of renting to an unreliable tenant.
Once you receive your comprehensive screening report (which only takes a few minutes) and have chosen the best tenant, you can quickly create and e-sign a lease, and start collecting rent online. Save hours and increase on-time payments with automated invoicing, deposits, and notifications.
Key features:
- Comprehensive tenant screening: Get instant reports you can trust, including detailed credit reports from Equifax, criminal history from 1.8 billion records, eviction history from the largest database of court records, and bank-verified income insights.
- Three-way ID verification: Minimize the risk of fraud with database checks, facial recognition, and document verification that supports 16,000+ identification documents from more than 200 countries.
- Fast turnaround times: Send screening reports and get results in minutes to expedite the tenant screening process.
- Free for landlords: Baselane tenant screening is completely free for landlords and more affordable for tenants than other services.
- User-friendly platform: Easily initiate and manage tenant screenings directly within the Baselane platform without having to use third-party software or integrations.
- Lease agreement templates: Create digital lease agreements that are state-compliant and e-sign them directly in the platform.
Additional features Baselane offers:
- Rent collection: Automate rent collection and receive payouts within 2-5 business days. Save hours chasing down tenants with automated invoices for rent, fees, and security deposits. Flexible tenant payment options (ACH, debit, and credit card) increase on-time rent, while real-time payment tracking and notifications keep your finances organized.
- Banking: Unlimited virtual accounts and cards for each property to keep operating expenses, profits, and savings organized across your portfolio. Manage everything from LLCs and corporations to partnerships in one platform and leverage separate security deposit accounts for easy compliance. Benefit from up to 3.35% APY2 and no account fees or minimum balance requirements.
- Accounting and bookkeeping: A single consolidated ledger makes monitoring your income and expenses easy with automatic syncing of all your Baselane and external accounts and auto-generated financial and tax reports. Automatically categorize your transactions with over 120 real estate-specific categories based on Schedule E, capture receipts and add notes, and receive real-time cash flow insights to help you analyze your income and expenses.
Cost: Baselane tenant screening is free for landlords (applicants pay the screening fee) without any monthly fees for using integrated banking, rent collection, and bookkeeping features.
2. SingleKey
SingleKey is a property management platform that offers tenant screening reports, including credit checks, criminal background checks, and eviction history.
SingleKey offers limited customer support, making it hard for landlords to get more information on reports. Some users found the reporting was basic and sometimes contained incomplete information.
Key features:
- Credit report from TransUnion, Equifax, or Nova Credit
- Income and employment verification
- Public records search
Cost: You’ll have to pay $29.99 per applicant to receive a tenant report. When using tenant screening, the landlord can pay for the screening cost or request that the applicant cover the cost.
3. MyRental
MyRental’s property management software is a platform with features to screen tenants, collect rent, and handle maintenance requests. Their starter package, Basic, doesn’t include a credit report, which is a key element of the tenant screening process.
You have to pay more for the Premium package, which aggregates credit check data and background checks to create a SafeRent score that gives you an at-a-glance analysis of potential tenants. MyRental doesn’t offer a specific report for income insights, so landlords have to rely on credit history and other data for this information.
Key features:
- SafeRent score
- Automated rent collection
- Online rental application form
Cost: MyRental offers a Basic package for $24.99 per applicant, a Premium package for $34.99 per applicant, or you can purchase individual reports. The landlord is responsible for the tenant screening cost unless they choose the Premium package, which allows the applicant to pay for the screening report.
4. National Tenant Network
National Tenant Network (NTN) provides tenant screening services with a focus on compliance. In addition to basic checks, they offer features like SSN verification and terabytes of historical rental data.
NTN only offers resident screening tools. They don’t offer features like banking, automated invoicing, and rent collection, which you’ll find with Baselane.
Key features:
- Large resident history database
- Daily local eviction filings
- Scoring and rental recommendation system
Cost: NTN is not free. You must visit NTN’s website and enter your property zip code to view pricing. Paid subscribers get lifetime access to NTN’s library of resident screening resources and reports. NTN doesn’t offer renter pay options, so landlords must cover the screening costs.
5. RentPrep
RentPrep is a tenant screening service that offers credit reports, criminal background checks, eviction history, and income verification. The service utilizes TransUnion’s ResidentScore®, a credit scoring model specifically designed for the rental market, to provide more insight into a potential tenant’s financial responsibility.
RentPrep has been criticized for charging too much for detailed reports (especially those that require manual processing) and having limited features beyond tenant screening. Their credit report has basic pass or fail results, not detailed credit data. You won’t find functionalities like property listings, rent collection, or tenant communication tools that property management platforms include.
Key features:
- TransUnion ResidentScore®
- FCRA-certified screeners
- Tiered pricing with add-ons
Cost: RentPrep is not free, meaning you’ll have to pay for reports based on their package-specific pricing. The SmartMove package is $29, which includes a credit report, ResidentScore®, and bankruptcy information. You can pay $29 for the Background check package or $49 for the Comprehensive screening package.
6. SmartMove
SmartMove, powered by the credit bureau TransUnion, provides screening reports and features, including income insights, criminal background checks, and credit reports. They also include income verification reports and show eviction records.
SmartMove can’t report a tenant’s rental history directly on a credit report, which means landlords may not see past eviction information unless it’s reflected in other credit details. This can limit your understanding of a prospective tenant’s history. It also relies on the applicant to initiate the screening process, which can lead to delays or cancellations outside of your control.
Key features:
- TransUnion ResidentScore®
- Scoring-based leasing recommendations
- Income verification
Cost: SmartMove pricing depends on how much information you want about your tenant. You can choose the SmartCheck Basic ($25), SmartCheck Plus ($40), or SmartCheck Premium ($47). You can opt to have the renter cover the tenant screening cost, or you can opt to cover the cost for your applicant.
7. Avail
Avail is a property management platform that includes tenant screening features. You can request individual or bundled tenant screening reports that include a TransUnion credit report, background check, and eviction report. You can also request rental applications from potential tenants to get their employment history, rental history, and income verification.
While Avail provides three types of screening reports, customization is generally limited, and you’re restricted to the data in these pre-made reports. Avail relies on credit reports from TransUnion, not multiple credit bureaus, which can limit accuracy.
Key features:
- Background checks
- Past landlord reference checks
- Three screening report options
Cost: Screening report pricing varies by location due to state-specific landlord-tenant laws. The cost can be covered by the tenant or landlord.
8. Stessa
Stessa is a property management platform that integrates with RentPrep to provide tenant screening services. The service offers credit reports from TransUnion along with background checks. Income verification and liens checks are offered for an additional fee.
The tenant screening services are limited, and since they’re provided through a third party (RentPrep), there isn’t much customization available. The credit reports are simple pass or fail results, with no insights into actual scores. The platform also doesn’t allow you to communicate directly with tenants, and you have to pay for the Pro plan to get access to digital lease signing.
Key features:
- Integrated RentPrep screening
- TransUnion ResidentScore®
- In-platform application approvals/denials
Cost: To access Stessa’s tenant screening features, you need to create an account. Tenants must pay a $40 fee for the tenant screening feature, and they’ll also have to pay for add-ons like income verification and judgments or liens.
9. TurboTenant
TurboTenant’s tenant screening service utilizes TransUnion to deliver reports, including credit checks, criminal background checks, and eviction history. The service also offers tenant identification verification and state-specific legal compliance.
Since they only use information from TransUnion, reports may be missing information found through other credit bureaus. The criminal background checks also aren’t as extensive as other services.
Key features:
- TransUnion credit report
- 300 million criminal records (less than Baselane’s 1.2 billion)
- Integration with applications and lease agreements
Cost: TurboTenant charges applicants a flat fee of $55 per screening report.
10. RentRedi
RentRedi uses TransUnion data to deliver screening reports, including credit checks, criminal background checks, and eviction history.
RentRedi lacks tenant screening options beyond basic credit checks, including income verification and customizable screening packages. Users have reported delays in payment processing and confusion regarding fees.
Key features:
- TransUnion screening reports
- 370 million criminal records check
- Pre-screening questionnaire option
Cost: RentRedi offers monthly ($29.95/mo), 6-month ($20/mo), or annual ($12/mo) subscriptions. Their standard tenant screening is paid for by the tenant and costs $39.99 through TransUnion.
11. Hemlane
Hemlane’s tenant screening process offers reports, including background checks (which are soft inquiries), and provides instant recommendations on applicants.
Hemlane only searches 24 million records, which is far less than Baselane, which references 1.8 billion criminal records alone in addition to housing court records. Its tenant screening feature doesn’t include income employment verification, a key aspect of a reliable tenant screening report.
Key features:
- No credit impact with soft inquiries
- Pre-screening questions
- Credit reports from multiple bureaus
Cost: Hemlane includes certain tenant screening services in its free and paid plans. The free plan includes basic tenant screening and paid plans start at $30 a month plus $20 per unit. For all plans, the applicant pays for the tenant screening report.
12. Apartments.com
Apartments.com is designed for rental listings, but they also offer basic tenant screening services. Apartments.com provides reports through TransUnion to help you assess potential tenants’ qualifications.
Apartments.com’s tenant screening reports only include rental history, employment status, income-to-rent ratio, and household information. You won’t have any criminal background check information or credit score data, providing a less clear picture of a prospective tenant’s reliability.
Key features:
- Integrated with Apartment.com’s listings
- TransUnion credit and background checks
- ResidentScore®
Cost: Applicants pay a fee of around $29 to cover the screening costs, although this can vary depending on the specific package chosen.
13. Buildium
Buildium is a property management platform that offers a basic tenant screening service through TransUnion. Their reports include credit reports, criminal background checks, and eviction history.
Unlike other platforms, Buildium doesn’t offer any sort of scoring model to give an at-a-glance understanding of a potential tenant, which highlights the likelihood of negative or positive rental outcomes. This scoring focuses on predicting whether an applicant has insufficient funds, late payments, and evictions to help you determine the potential tenant risk. Without this, you have to do more manual work to find out which tenant is the right fit.
It also lacks customization options when generating tenant screening reports, which means you’re unable to tailor screening criteria to your specific needs.
Key features:
- Set custom credit score requirements
- Tenant screening through TransUnion
- 24-Hour turnaround
Cost: Tenant screening costs $17 per screen for landlords (or $32 per screen if you pass the cost to the applicant), and Enhanced Tenant Screening is $20 per screen.
14. Zillow Rental Manager
Zillow Rental Manager provides a tenant screening feature for landlords who already use the site. Potential tenants can apply and undergo screening directly through your Zillow listing. Zillow utilizes Checkr, a screening service, to deliver background reports that include credit checks and criminal background checks.
Beyond this, Zillow Rental Manager doesn’t include any past landlord reference checks, so you’ll have to do this on your own time. The screening service also doesn’t feature any income information or past employment data.
Key features:
- Integrates with Zillow listings
- Checkr background checks
- Reusable application
Cost: Zillow Rental Manager’s tenant screening service is free for landlords, with the $35 application fee paid directly by the applicant.
15. Innago
Innago allows landlords to build custom application forms and tailor the screening process to your specific requirements.
While Innago’s tenant screening includes criminal history, credit information, and eviction history, there is no landlord pay option, and tenants must pay an extra fee of $10 to include income verification.
Key features:
- Customizable screening
- Rental application forms
- Nationwide coverage
Cost: Innago has no setup fee or monthly fee. Tenants are charged $30–$35 for criminal history, credit report, and eviction history, and an additional $10 for income verification.
How to choose the right tenant screening service
To choose a tenant screening service, prioritize features including:
- Comprehensive reports: Look for a service offering detailed credit reports, criminal background checks, income verification, employment status, and eviction history reports.
- Fast turnaround times: Expedite the screening process with a service that prioritizes accuracy and speed. Baselane delivers results in minutes, while other platforms take longer—even up to 24 hours.
- Ease of use: Choose a tool that lets you easily create a tenant screening request with minimal setup required. You should receive a comprehensive report that’s easy to read and understand. Ideally, you can screen tenants, create and sign leases digitally, and collect rent all on the same platform.
- Pricing structure: Evaluate pricing models, including per-report fees and subscription-based plans, and determine what makes the most sense for you based on the number of properties you manage.
To avoid hidden fees and subscription costs, opt for a tenant screening solution like Baselane, which is free for landlords.
Find the best tenants with Baselane
Choosing the right tenant screening software is crucial to protect your investments and minimize potential risks. Once you find the best tenant screening service, you can make informed decisions and increase your chances of attracting more quality tenants.
When selecting a tenant screening service, consider factors such as the comprehensiveness of reports, turnaround time, ease of use, and cost.
Simplify tenant management with Baselane, which offers an all-in-one, next-generation tenant screening report. Where traditional tenant screening reports only offer standard credit and criminal history, Baselane delivers comprehensive reporting by referencing 1.8 billion criminal records in more than 2,500 jurisdictions and the largest database of eviction and criminal history to help you avoid evictions—which cost an average of $3,500. Baselane also provides more in-depth insights with income and three-way ID verification so you can make confident leasing decisions.
Plus, Baselane helps landlords save time and money while growing rental businesses thanks to features like online rent collection, integrated banking, and automated accounting and bookkeeping. The all-in-one landlord software lets you handle everything from tenant screening and onboarding to automated rent collection, income tracking, and tax prep in one convenient space.
FAQs
What is the best background check for landlords?
The best background check for landlords depends on your unique needs. You may just want a basic credit report, or you may want more advanced information that includes checks on income history and eviction status.
Baselane offers a comprehensive tenant screening service that includes background checks, credit checks, criminal history, income insights, and eviction history reports. That’s more than traditional tenant screening services offer, which typically only include credit reports and criminal history. Baselane’s 360-degree reports use more expansive criminal records database searches and advanced ID verification that supports 16,000+ ID types from more than 200 countries and bank-verified income data. The user-friendly platform and fast turnaround time make it a top choice for landlords.
What are the best tenant screening services?
Baselane is the best tenant screening service if you want more than standard credit checks and criminal history. Baselane’s tenant screening software goes beyond basic background checks, delivering comprehensive criminal history, credit checks, eviction history reports, income and employment verification, and ID verification. The all-in-one report is free for landlords and offers more in-depth insights with wider records checks compared to competitors. After you screen tenants and pick the ideal applicant, create and e-sign the lease and automate rent payments right in Baselanes’ platform.
What background check do most landlords use?
Most landlords use a variety of background checks, including credit checks, criminal background checks, rental history checks, employment verification, and identity verification.
How much do tenant screening services cost?
The cost of tenant screening services can vary depending on the specific features and packages offered. Some services offer a flat fee per screening, while others have tiered pricing based on the number of units managed. Depending on the platform, tenant screening may be paid for by the landlord or the applicant.
What is a tenant screening report and what does it show?
A tenant screening report provides information about a potential tenant’s credit history, criminal background, and eviction history. The exact information included depends on the tenant screening company used, and landlords can decide what to check on a tenant’s credit report.
This information helps landlords assess a tenant’s reliability and reduce the risk of renting to a bad tenant.
How long does tenant screening take?
While many services can provide results within a few business days, the time it takes depends on the screening company and varies depending on the specific service and the complexity of the background check.
How do I get a copy of my tenant screening report?
You can typically get a copy of your tenant screening report from the tenant screening service you used. The report will be provided in a digital format that you can download or print.
How far back does tenant screening go?
The depth of background checks can vary depending on the specific service and jurisdiction. Typically, background checks can go back several years, but the exact timeframe may vary.
How do I choose a tenant screening service?
When choosing a tenant screening service, consider factors such as the speed of the screening process, the ease of use of the platform and what information the screen includes.
Additionally, look for a service that complies with fair housing laws and protects your privacy. Check to see if any screening information you want comes with the service or requires an add-on fee, and find out whether you or the tenant pays for it.
