{"id":10185,"date":"2018-12-07T11:24:03","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T19:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=10185"},"modified":"2019-07-23T14:36:59","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T21:36:59","slug":"tenant-screening-criteria-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/tenant-screening-criteria-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal Tenant Screening Criteria Checklist: Infographic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tenant<\/p>\n

Finding a qualified and reliable tenant should be a primary focus for a landlord or property manager, and ensuring that this tenant will be found through a legal and aboveboard process is critical to your success.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best way to find your dream tenant while avoiding discrimination lawsuits is to have a full awareness of Fair Housing Laws<\/a> (as well as state and local laws) and create a set of written screening criteria that you can equally apply to all applicants. Developing your screening criteria doesn’t have to be challenging. Following a basic tenant screening criteria checklist will ensure that your written screening criteria<\/a> easily points you to the most qualified and reliable future tenant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Written screening criteria sets forth minimum, objective tenant qualifications that will benefit a landlord in two ways:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. It streamlines the screening process. If any applicants do not meet your minimum tenant screening<\/a> criteria you can reject them before spending time calling references and conducting a background check.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. It reduces the likelihood that a discrimination claim because it takes a landlord\u2019s or property manager\u2019s personal, subjective opinion out of the equation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    This infographic gives a quick rundown of everything you need to know for your tenant screening criteria checklist:<\/h3>\n

    \"Tenant<\/p>\n

    Screen Every Tenant<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Some property managers only screen tenants that they’re skeptical about. Yet, there\u2019s also no way of knowing what details lurk in a person\u2019s past. Use a tenant screening report<\/a> and screen every applicant equally to comply with Federal Fair Housing laws and to ensure that the tenant you select isn\u2019t hiding a disqualifying issue. Judging a book by its cover–or an applicant by their presentability–can land you in legal hot water now or a difficult eviction process down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Do a Background Check<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A background check will let you know if someone has a serious criminal record. If you rent to someone with a criminal past, it could also damage your reputation. It can even put your neighbors at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Screen Early Enough<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Start the screening process right away. Delaying the process can kill earnings. Screen early so you know if you want that applicant or need to move on to the next interested renter.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Create Written Minimum<\/span><\/h3>\n