How Independent Landlords Screen Tenants Online with TurboTenant

Tenant screening is always essential when finding a new tenant. But it’s especially important for independent landlords, who might not have the resources to recoup any lost profits if a tenant fails to pay rent on time, causes property damage, or requires eviction.

For those who don’t know, tenant screenings provide crucial information about a renter’s background, including their credit, criminal, and eviction history. Landlords can then use this data to make a well-informed decision when selecting a new tenant.

With all of that in mind, you might think it’s difficult to obtain a tenant screening report. It’s not. TurboTenant simplifies tenant screening and conducts the process entirely online. Plus, our screenings are handled in compliance with all landlord-tenant laws for your peace of mind.

How Can Independent Landlords Screen Potential Tenants Online?

Detailed tenant screenings aren’t just for big, corporate landlords — even independent landlords can screen rental applicants online. To get started, you just have to start collecting rental applications digitally. (We’ll explore the process in more detail shortly.)

Online tenant screenings yield reports that reveal a variety of information about the tenant. It includes: criminal and eviction histories, where allowed by law. In terms of credit information, you’ll receive the tenant’s credit report. It features a tenant’s:

• Credit score,
• Debts owed, and
• Record of paying loans.

In many cases, online tenant screenings offer income verification, so landlords know a tenant has the means to pay rent on time.

If you’re feeling daunted by the prospect of obtaining all that info, don’t worry. TurboTenant enables independent landlords to handle all of these steps in one place, so you don’t have to do the legwork yourself.

How Do Online Tenant Screening Services Work?

Online tenant screening services make background checks a breeze. First, the renter submits a digital rental application and gives written consent for the landlord to conduct a background check. Next, the landlord provides the necessary information to a tenant screening service. In our case, TurboTenant uses RentButter. For income verification and fraud detection, TurboTenant leverages Snappt’s industry-leading reports.

The screening service then pulls reports from credit bureaus and public records to provide landlords with a full, detailed picture of the tenant. After receiving these reports, you can use the data on a tenant’s credit, background, and eviction history to decide who to select as your new renter.

TurboTenant helps expedite the process, allowing you to receive these reports almost instantly. Fast results save you valuable time during the rental application process — after all, the sooner you get that screening report, the sooner you can secure a new, trustworthy tenant.

How TurboTenant Helps Landlords Screen Tenants

Online Rental Applications

TurboTenant helps landlords screen tenants right from the start of the application process. You can easily customize our digital rental application to suit your specific property while still collecting important information about the tenant’s income and rental history.

The ability to receive online rental applications is an essential part of the tenant screening process, since you’ll need the renter’s personal information and consent to run the background check.

Credit Reports Via RentButter

TurboTenant uses the screening service RentButter to provide landlords with detailed credit reports. Reports include the tenant’s credit score, loan, and rent payment history. Independent landlords can use credit reports to identify red flags, such as past bills sent to collections or a high DTI ratio.

Snappt Income Verification and Fraud Detection

Landlords who want a more in-depth view of an applicant can sign up for TurboTenant’s Pro tier. With it, they can get an at-the-source view of an applicant’s income, while combating any fraud that might stick you with a less-than-ideal tenant.

Background & Eviction Checks

RentButter also investigates a tenant’s background to determine whether or not you can safely rent to someone. Our services reference nationwide criminal and eviction databases, allowing you to ensure the safety and security of yourself and any other tenants.

Note that certain states, counties, and municipalities have laws against using criminal and/or eviction history during the tenant selection process. So, make sure to double-check your local landlord-tenant laws to determine whether you can deny rental housing based on these factors.

Income & Employment Verification

As part of the rental application process, TurboTenant allows renters to securely upload pay stubs, W-2s, and any other income verification documentation requested by the landlord. These documents help landlords verify an applicant’s financial standing.

Rental History Verification

During the screening process, landlords should always check whether a tenant has a history of adverse outcomes, such as nonpayment of rent, property damage, or evictions. To that end, TurboTenant enables tenants to strengthen a rental application by including previous landlord references.

TurboTenant Screening Process: Step by Step

1. Landlord Invites Tenant to Apply

First things first — your tenant needs to submit a digital rental application. After you create a landlord account, you can invite tenants to apply via email or text. TurboTenant also provides a confirmation notice for landlords after the invitation is sent.

2. Tenant Consents and Pays Screening Fee

Tenants need to create a free account with TurboTenant to complete the digital application. As part of the application process, the applicant consents to a background check and pays the screening fee. It costs:

3. TurboTenant Pulls Reports From RentButter + Snappt + Databases

Next, TurboTenant obtains data from RentButter and other public databases to create thorough screening reports. If you elect to sign up for a Pro account, you can leverage Snappt’s 99.8% accurate fraud detection to ensure your property is in good hands. With this information, landlords gain a comprehensive view of their prospective tenants.

4. Reports Available in Landlord Dashboard

After a tenant submits the rental application and background check consent, TurboTenant will generate screening reports within 1 to 3 days, depending on weekends and holidays. These reports are often instantly available in the dashboard of your TurboTenant landlord account.

What’s Included in a TurboTenant Screening Report

Credit Report

TurboTenant’s screening reports include a credit report, allowing landlords to accurately assess a renter’s financial standing. The credit report includes the tenant’s credit score, loan payment history, past credit use, and more.

Background Report

TurboTenant provides a detailed background report, including criminal history (where permitted by law). A thorough background report helps landlords rent to individuals who are less likely to cause trouble either for them or for other renters.

Eviction Report

Prior evictions may indicate that a tenant has a history of damaging property, failing to pay rent on time, or other adverse behavior. TurboTenant checks national public databases to determine whether a landlord has evicted a renter before, provided the landlord can access this information by law.

Income Verification and Fraud Detection

With a Pro account, landlords gain access to reports highlighting an applicant’s income and whether or not they used any fraudulent documents when applying for the property.

Application Summary

TurboTenant compiles all of a tenant’s details in one convenient location — no need to juggle paper applications or online services. Instead, landlords can quickly and easily get to a renter’s application and screening reports just by logging in to TurboTenant.

Compliance & Best Practices for Landlords

While landlords should always conduct tenant screenings before signing a lease with a new renter, you can’t go through the process at random. There are some important considerations to keep in mind — namely, landlord-tenant laws.

All aspects of the tenant screening process must adhere to federal and state landlord-tenant laws. And considering that these regulations may change in the future or vary by location, staying up to date on rental law can be easier said than done.

Fortunately, that’s another way TurboTenant can help. Our tenant screening practices are compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and require the tenant’s consent, so you don’t have to fear future legal problems.

Additionally, the same standards apply to all rental applicants in accordance with federal and state fair housing laws. These prohibit discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as race, sex, and religion.

All in all, TurboTenant adheres to the best practices of tenant screening. We use consistent, written screening policies, allow landlords to review rental applications and reports in one place, and maintain documentation for your legal protection.

The Final Word: Online Screening

Tenant screening is an essential step to success as a landlord. Screenings prevent adverse outcomes for landlords and tenants alike, providing an added layer of security — especially for independent landlords.

TurboTenant simplifies the process of receiving applications and running tenant background checks so landlords can obtain credit, background, and eviction reports all online. Our tenant screening reports are reliable, efficient, and accurate while still complying with the required landlord-tenant laws.

Ready to stop worrying and start renting to trustworthy tenants? Sign up for a TurboTenant account to learn more about online tenant screenings.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is published by TurboTenant. It is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Laws and regulations for landlords vary by state and locality and may change over time. Always consult a qualified attorney, accountant, or local housing authority before making decisions related to your rental property. The publisher and authors assume no responsibility for actions taken based on the information provided.