Get all the information you need to make an informed decision about tenants. In one place. For free.
We've partnered with industry leader TransUnion to provide landlords with the best tenant screening tools possible. We provide screening reports that are comprehensive, accurate, and secure.
What's Included:
- Free Rental application
- Credit report
- ResidentScore
- Criminal history report
- Eviction history
- Bankruptcies
- Rental history
- Debt payment history
Report Summary
Once your screening is complete, your applicant's information is summarized in your tenant screening dashboard. The summary gives you an overview of results, highlights red flags, and pulls out key information.
This summary is one of the things our customers love the most and that sets our product apart from other screening services. Just one more way to make things EZ for landlords!
How our Tenant Screening and Background Check Services Work
Step 1
Send a Screening Request
To send a tenant screening request, just enter the applicant's name and email. When you do, you can select who pays for the rental screening.
Pro tip: Most landlords select “applicants pay.” This is simpler than charging an application fee and means resident screening is completely free for landlords.
Step 2
Applicant Completes Request
The applicant will get a screening request by email and be prompted to provide the necessary information to verify their identity and complete the rental application.
Step 3
Receive Screening Reports
You'll be notified when the applicant has submitted all information and when all screening reports are available for review.
You can review the rental application online immediately. In most cases, all reports are available within 24 hours.
It's that EZ.
See What You'll Get - Before You Screen
View DemoWhat Landlords Are Saying About Our Tenant Screening Services
As a small-time landlord, ezLandlordForms saves me time and money when screening tenants and completing leases. I take comfort in knowing the Leases are state-specific and protect me from the majority of issues a landlord could face with tenants.
Easiest landlord software to use - easy record keeping, easy screening, just makes paperwork a breeze.
All the forms you need in one place for a successful tenant screening. I've been using ezLandlordForms for almost 10 years. I love how it saves all the forms (applications, leases) in one place.
All the forms you need in one place for a successful tenant screening. I’ve been using ezLandlordForms for almost 10 years. I love how it saves all the forms (applications, leases) in one place.
Find the Right Tenant Screening & Background Check Package for Your Rental Unit
- Online rental application
- Credit report
- ResidentScore
- Nationwide criminal history report
- Pro Members get $5.00 off all screenings
- Eviction proceedings report
$44.95 for applicants,
free for Landlords who
opt for "applicant pays" when sending a request
- Online rental application
- Credit report
- ResidentScore
- Nationwide criminal history report
- Pro Members get $5.00 off all screenings
- Eviction proceedings report
$39.95 for applicants,
free for Landlords who
opt for "applicant pays" when sending a request
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I get rental check results?
Are Landlord screening services free for Landlords?
What Is the difference between a Rental Application & a Rental Report
Is ResidentScore the same as FICO or credit score?
Will a Tenant credit check impact a tenant's credit score?
What is a portable screening Report?
What is a reusable Tenant Screening Report?
How do I run a tenant background verification?
Can I do a rental history check?
Is it necessary to do a credit check for renters?
Why is tenant screening so important?
How do I check eviction proceedings?
Pro Tip: Have the Tenant Pay for the Screening
In most states, Landlords can have Tenants pay for all Tenant Screening reports through an application fee. Application fees usually range from $30 to $75, with the national average being $45.
Most states don't have regulations on application fees, which means Landlords can charge a non-refundable fee that covers their screening costs with no limits. However, some states have strict laws. To make sure you comply with your state's laws, it's important to check them before charging an application fee.
Below is a list of maximum application fees by state. Some states don't have regulations, but where there is applicable guidance, we've linked directly to that source.
State-by-State Guide to Rental Application Fee Laws
Rental application fees average from $25 to $50. However, some states have limits on how much a landlord can charge for the application fee.
State specific application fees laws
No limitations on application fees
State Restrictions on Rental Application Fees
- Alaska There is no limit but the fee must be based on the actual cost of screening.
- California Fees are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. As of January 1, 2025, Landlords can charge up to $62.02 per Applicant.
- Colorado The application fee must be based on the actual of screening.
- Delaware Fees cannot exceed either 10% of monthly rent or $50, whichever is greater.
- Maryland Landlords with four or more Rental Units must return any unspent application fees greater than $25 within 15 days of the start of the occupancy or of receiving notice that the occupancy won't take place.
- Main The application fee must be based on the actual cost of screening. A Landlord cannot charge an Applicant for more than one screening in 12 months.
- Massachusetts Landlords may not charge an application fee. Only licensed real estate brokers can charge a rental application fee.
- Minnesota Fee cannot exceed the actual cost of the Tenant Screening.
- New York Landlords may charge up to the cost of the screening or $20, whichever is less.
- Oregon The application fee may not exceed the Landlord's average cost of screening applicants.
- Vermont Landlords may not charge an application fee.
- Virginia Landlords may charge a rental application fee of up to $50 plus out-of-pocket fees for screening services.
- Washington The application fee must exactly match the cost of Tenant Screening services.
- Wisconsin Landlords can charge up to $25 for a Rental Application fee and must provide the Applicant with a copy of the credit report.
Complete Guide to Screening Tenants for Your Rentals
Tenant Screening is one of the most important things that Landlords do. It ensures you're only handing over legal possession of your Rental Units to qualified Tenants. It's the best way for Landlords to avoid evictions, bad rental outcomes, and Landlord headaches and Landlord nightmares.
Every time you fill an apartment vacancy or rental property vacancy, you need to thoroughly screen Applicants and only select a Tenant that meets your screening criteria. Our Tenant Screening services give you all the tenant background and credit information you need to make informed decisions. Here are some additional tips to help you find the perfect tenant for your rental property.
Ask Tenants Pre-Screening Questions
Having an informal pre-screening can ensure that you're only screening serious Applicants. Some key questions to ask in this screening are:
- How many proposed occupants are there?
- Do you have any pets? (Even if you don't allow pets)
- When would you like to move in?
- Is the security deposit and first month's rent available now?
You don't need personal information to start a screening!
All Landlords need is an Applicant's name and email address to send a Screening Request. You don't have to collect personal information like social security number or date of birth. Just name and email address - it's that EZ!
Rental Application*
*Unlike most of our competitors, we include the Rental Application in our Tenant Screening packages. This means one less step for Landlords!
The Rental Application is completed by the Applicant and gives Landlords important background information about the prospective Tenant. Our free Rental Application not only gathers key background info, but it also includes authorizations for the Landlord to get a tenant background check, eviction history, Resident Score (similar to a credit score), and credit report.
Our free digital Rental Application gathers important tenant background information including:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Current Address
- Financial Situation
- Employment Status
- Past Employment History
- Rental History
Tenant Background Reports, Credit Check, and Eviction Proceedings
Tenant screening is all about getting the right information to make an informed decision. There are a few tenant background reports needed in this data collection process: a credit report, a background check, and an eviction proceedings report. In addition to these key reports, Landlords need to see a Resident Score (which is similar to a credit score) for each Applicant to help minimize risks when selecting a Tenant. All of these reports, and the Rental Application, are included in our Tenant Screening services.
Tenant Employment & Income Verification
It's important to verify an Applicant's employment and income to ensure they'll be reliable Tenants. To do this, you'll want to complete an Employment Verification Letter and see pay stubs from the previous two weeks. For self-employed Applicants, you should be able to get the necessary information by requesting tax returns from the previous two years.
Check References
It's also important to talk with an Applicant's prior Landlords and employer. When talking with Landlords, reach out to both the current and previous Landlord to make sure you're getting an accurate report (sometimes Landlords want to get rid of a bad tenant and won't provide an accurate reference). Asking specific questions is also key to ensuring you're not overlooking any red flags. For example:
- Has the Applicant ever been late with rent? If so, how many times?
- Did the Applicant ever receive a Notice to Vacate?
- Was the Applicant evicted? If so, why?
- Did you receive any complaints about Tenants? Any concerns from other neighbors?
- Did the Applicant leave the Rental Unit in good condition and leave in good standing?
- Would you rent to this Tenant again?
It's also a good idea to contact the Applicant's employer. This gives you a sense of how the Applicant performs in the workplace, any red flags the employer sees, or any issues an Applicant has with coworkers.
Choose a Great Tenant
Once you've gone through these tenant screening steps, you'll have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck and happy Landlording. And remember, once you pick a good tenant, we have all the tools you need to self-manage your rental.