What a reasonable screening process looks like
- Application. Collect income, employment, rental history, and references, see our application template.
- Income check. A common rule of thumb is rent ≤ 30% of gross monthly income, though this varies by market.
- Credit & background check. Usually done through a screening service. Federal law (FCRA) requires you to get consent first and to send an "adverse action" notice if you deny someone based on the report.
- Landlord reference. A quick call to the current/previous landlord is often the single most useful signal.
Fair housing, what to avoid
Federal fair housing law prohibits discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability, and many states/cities add more protected classes (source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, etc.). Apply the same screening criteria to every applicant, document your reasons for any denial, and avoid questions or preferences that touch on protected classes.
Practical tips
- Screen applicants in the order they applied, using the same criteria each time
- Keep records of why an applicant was accepted or denied
- Charge application fees consistently, and check whether your state caps them