<p>&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr"><img alt="Person writing with pen on piece of paper" src="/images/blog/Creating_%20tenant%20Screening%20Checklist.png" style="width: 1000px; height: 375px;" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Landlord-tenant laws have changed rapidly since 2020. As new updates continue to process for payment, move-ins, and move-outs -- selecting the best tenant has become even more important. One of the most effective ways to find a great tenant is by having a detailed yet easy-to-follow screening checklist to help you select the best renters around.&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr">Here is what you need to know to create a checklist of your own.</p> <h2 dir="ltr">Recent Rental Updates</h2> <p dir="ltr">The most rapidly changing area of landlord-tenant relations is currently based on recent laws enacted. Even procedures that would have been fair a year ago may not be accurate. Make sure you verify all local laws regarding screening, background checks, credit history, and showings before you finalize any tenant checklist.</p> <p dir="ltr">One great source to begin your search is NOLO online.</p> <h2 dir="ltr">Local Landlord-Tenant Laws</h2> <p dir="ltr">You&#39;ll want to familiarize yourself with your area&#39;s specific statutes and processes. In some states, the law tends to favor owner rights while in other states laws are weighted heavily towards the tenant. No matter what the rules, you want to be on the right side of them. Check to see if there are any rules that affect you at the city, county, and state levels.</p> <h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;Basic Screening Search</h2> <p dir="ltr">For any rental, there will be basic screening criteria. A qualified tenant must have a reliable rental history, sufficient income to cover payment and deposits, and fit the physical specifications of the unit. For example, if you only have 1-bedrooms available, you probably wouldn&#39;t be the best fit for a family of 7.</p> <p dir="ltr">The most<a href="https://www.rentspree.com/learn/tenant-screening/tenant-screening-checklist/"> common rental screening criteria</a> to add to your checklist include:</p> <ul> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Basic Identification Info - name, address, contact information, and social security numbers for a <a href="https://www.rentspree.com/blog/real-estate-agents/what-is-a-credit-report/">credit report</a> or background check purposes</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Proof of Income - a tenant will usually need to meet minimum income criteria determined by a rent-to-income ratio to afford your property. You will also want to verify that this income is ongoing, which can be done by requesting a work history and/or pay stubs dating back 60 to 90 days.</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Proof of Credit - your screening should include proof that there are no outstanding negative marks on a person&#39;s credit that may impact the tenant&#39;s ability to pay in the future.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Details of Residents - who will be living at the property? A senior residential home is not a good place for 21-year old college students, and many apartments may not handle an excess of residents in a location with minimal bathrooms or very thin walls. Know who will be living on site.</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Pet Details - If you allow pets you will need to know how many and what kind. The size or breed of the pet may also affect insurance rates and noise levels for other renters.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rental History - an ideal tenant will have a detailed rental history as well as proof or explanation against a previous eviction. Not all evictions are equal, so allowing an explanation of this cause may be to your benefit in finding the right tenant.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rental References - Great tenants will have people who know they are great tenants. Make sure your checklist seeks information from 2 to 3 sources who can provide you with some feedback.</p> </li> <li aria-level="1" dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Date of Application - in addition to helping you be more organized, the date of the application may affect how you process applications in some states.</p> </li> </ul> <h2 dir="ltr">Soft Screening Criteria</h2> <p dir="ltr">Soft screening criteria refer to those interactions you have with a tenant that may be more qualitative and less quantitative. Soft criteria do not refer to discriminatory practices such as judging a tenant by a protected status of race, gender, age, or ability. Instead, these refer to interactions that help lend an overall impression of the responsibility and ease of interactions.</p> <p dir="ltr">For example, was the tenant on time to the showing? Did the tenant obey the property rules while onsite for their application? Was the application payment full and on time? Were the scheduled persons the same ones who showed up to the meeting?</p> <p dir="ltr">These additional criteria can help understand and screen a prospective tenant in addition to traditional data.</p> <p dir="ltr">Create your tenant screening list based on your property and your location, not just a generic list of needs. Customize any questions or information requests to match your specific needs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>