As a landlord, finding reliable tenants is critical to maintaining a stress-free rental experience. You want someone who can afford rent, will pay on time, and won’t cause unnecessary issues like property damage or neighbor complaints.
But how can you tell if a tenant is the right fit?
That’s where tenant screening services come in. These services give you access to key information that helps you make informed decisions when renting out your property. While the process of finding the perfect tenant can seem daunting, using a tenant screening report can help ease the stress.
Let’s look at some of the best tenant screening services for small landlords and highlight their features to help you make the best choice.
Top 5 Best Tenant Screening Services for 2024
Most tenant screening services offer similar basic reports, but some provide added features, flexibility, and advanced tools. Below are the five of the best options, with a focus on affordability, ease of use, and reliability for small landlords.
#5: Leaserunner
Leaserunner stands out for its a la carte reporting style and its highly detailed Cash Flow Report, making it a great choice for landlords who value financial transparency. While the total cost for all reports can reach around $64, the $10 Cash Flow Report is a unique and innovative feature.
This report gives you access to a prospective tenant’s financial habits, including cash flow trends, balance history, and income sources, providing deep insight into their financial stability.
If you’re not screening tenants in bulk but want to ensure that those moving forward in the application process can afford rent, Leaserunner’s cash flow verification is an excellent tool. However, it may not be ideal if you need to screen an abundance of tenants quickly.
#4: SmartMove
Owned by TransUnion, SmartMove is another solid choice, especially for small landlords who don’t need frequent tenant screenings. This service requires no membership or subscription, which makes it a flexible option.
SmartMove offers three different packages, with the basic package starting at $25 per applicant. This entry-level option includes a Rental Score, which predicts the likelihood of eviction based on the tenant’s history.
On the pricier side, there is a more comprehensive pro package ($45 per applicant) includes a criminal, eviction, and credit check for landlords, along with a Resident Score and an Income Insights Report. The latter provides invaluable data on a tenant’s rent-to-income ratio, helping you better assess whether they can comfortably afford rent.
#3: Zillow
Zillow is a well-known name in real estate, but not everyone knows they also offer an affordable and easy-to-use tenant screening service.
For $35 per applicant, landlords can request criminal, eviction, and credit reports, along with renter information and income verification. The reports are available instantly and remain accessible for 30 days, allowing landlords to thoroughly review all potential tenants.
#2: MyRental
MyRental, under the SafeRent brand, offers flexibility in its reporting packages, with an affordable base price of $25 for a basic package that includes a criminal history and eviction report. For $38, the premium package adds a credit report, a Trans Union Rental Score, and a comparison of the tenant’s core to others in the area. This feature allows landlords to gauge whether a tenant’s score is competitive in the local market.
#1: Innago
At the top of the list is Innago, an increasingly popular service that’s free for landlords and property managers. It offers in-depth reports on criminal history, evictions, and a thorough credit check for landlord peace of mind—all key components of tenant screening.
Innago also offers income verification, ensuring that a tenant’s earnings meet your rent requirements.
Innago delivers reports almost instantly and provides dedicated customer support through phone, email, or the platform itself, making it especially helpful for small landlords who may have questions about the screening process. Another unique feature is its ability to turn off certain reports if landlord-tenant laws in your state prevent you from requesting them.
This flexibility makes Innago a comprehensive, user-friendly option for landlords of all sizes.
Oh, and did we mention, it’s completely free?
Picking the Best Fit for Your Rental Business
Now that you know the best tenant screening services, the next step is choosing the one that best fits your needs.
No matter which service you choose, using tenant screening tools is an essential step in selecting the best tenants for your property. Research the available options, consider your specific needs, and pick a service that balances accuracy, affordability and ease of use.
By doing so, you’ll be able to fill your rental units with responsible tenants and keep your business running smoothly.
