{"id":65126,"date":"2026-09-08T07:21:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?page_id=65126"},"modified":"2026-09-08T08:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T15:00:57","slug":"tenant-screening-landlord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/tenant-screening-landlord\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenant Screening: 5 Simple Steps to Choosing the Right Tenants for Your Rental Property"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing the right tenant can be a time-consuming process for landlords. A consistent tenant screening system can help you evaluate applicants based on relevant information while keeping your process organized. Depending on applicable federal, state, and local laws, screening may include rental history, income verification, credit information, and other legally permitted criteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this Redfin article, we\u2019ll walk you through five essential steps for screening rental applicants. No matter if you\u2019re renting out a<\/span> home in Detroit, MI<\/span><\/a>, or managing a<\/span> property in Chicago, IL<\/span><\/a>, here\u2019s what to know before choosing your next tenant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Abide by local, state, and federal laws<\/h2>\n

Tenant screening involves more than deciding whether an applicant meets your established screening criteria. Landlords must follow applicable federal, state, and local laws when advertising a property, evaluating applicants, and making rental decisions. Requirements can vary depending on where the property is located, so make sure you understand the rules that apply to your rental.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the federal level, the<\/span> Fair Housing Act<\/span><\/a> prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. State and local laws may provide additional protections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tim Andrew, president of <\/span>Platinum Realty Group<\/span><\/a>, recommends establishing screening standards before reviewing applications:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLandlords need to establish lawful, written screening criteria before reviewing applications and apply them consistently to every applicant. If an applicant needs an alternative path to approval, such as a co-signer or guarantor, that same option should be available to every similarly situated applicant. Screening decisions should follow a documented policy and applicable law, rather than being based on ad hoc decisions or blanket assumptions.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Your screening criteria should be based on legitimate, relevant factors and applied consistently to everyone. If you\u2019re unsure which requirements apply to your property, consider consulting a qualified professional familiar with landlord-tenant and fair housing laws in your area.<\/span><\/p>\n

>>Read: Landlord Responsibilities: What to Know Before Renting<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

2. Check your tenant’s references<\/b><\/h2>\n

Rental history<\/span><\/a> can provide valuable information about an applicant’s previous experience as a tenant. Try to contact previous landlords or property managers, particularly those associated with the applicant’s most recent rentals. Checking references can help you verify information on the application and learn more about the applicant’s payment history, lease compliance, property care, and move-out history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nathan Peel of <\/span>Home Forward<\/span><\/a> says that, in his experience, rental history can be particularly useful when evaluating an applicant:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe single best predictor is rental history \u2013 specifically, how an applicant treated their last one or two landlords. Did they pay on time, take care of the unit, and give proper notice when they left? Past behavior is a far more reliable signal than a credit score or income figure on its own, because it tells you how someone actually behaves as a tenant, not just whether they can technically afford the rent.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Schamir Belhomme and Chad Jarvis, managing brokers at <\/span>Avenir CoLiving<\/span><\/a>, also emphasize the importance of verifying the information an applicant provides:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the biggest red flags are inconsistencies: rental history that cannot be independently verified, income that does not match the supporting documentation, or information that changes when reasonable follow-up questions are asked. We look at the overall pattern rather than relying on a single piece of information.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Need a starting spot? Here are a few questions to ask a previous landlord or property manager:<\/span><\/p>\n