Tenant screening is an essential step for landlords who want to choose responsible renters and protect their investment. A tenant background check gives you a clear picture of a prospective renter’s financial stability, rental history, income, and potential risk factors before signing a lease. When done properly, screening helps you avoid missed rent payments, property damage, evictions, and turnover—and ensures a smoother, more predictable rental experience for both you and your tenant.
With online tools like Zillow Tenant Screening, the traditional paperwork-heavy process becomes simple, fast, and secure. You can request a complete credit report, background check, eviction history, and income documentation all in one place—without collecting sensitive personal information yourself. This makes it easier to screen tenants confidently, compare applicants fairly, and fill your vacancy quickly.
Whether you’re a first-time landlord or manage multiple rentals, this guide will walk you through what tenant screening is, what’s included in a background check, and how to screen tenants online step-by-step—so you can move forward with clarity and peace of mind.
What Is Tenant Screening and Why It Matters
Tenant screening is the process of evaluating a prospective renter’s background, credit history, rental history, and income to determine whether they’re likely to be a reliable tenant. It helps landlords understand who they’re renting to and provides the insight needed to make confident, informed leasing decisions. Instead of relying solely on a conversation or first impression, screening gives you a clear, documented picture of an applicant’s financial behavior, housing history, and overall suitability for your property.
When you run a tenant background check, you’re typically reviewing:
- Credit report and score, which helps show how responsibly the renter manages their finances.
- Criminal background check, which provides transparency and helps reduce risk.
- Eviction history, which can indicate whether a renter has had serious disputes with previous landlords.
- Employment and income verification, which helps confirm the renter can comfortably afford the rent.
Conducting these checks before signing a lease reduces uncertainty and strengthens long-term rental stability. A well-screened tenant is more likely to:
- Pay rent on time
- Care for the property responsibly
- Communicate openly if issues arise
- Stay longer, reducing turnover and vacancy costs
Without tenant screening, landlords may face late payments, property damage, disputes, or even eviction, which can be both time-consuming and costly. Screening upfront helps prevent these issues and establishes a foundation of trust between both landlord and tenant from day one.
Modern online screening tools make this process fast and convenient. With platforms like Zillow Rental Manager, applicants complete their information and authorize screening digitally—meaning you don’t need to handle personal data or chase documents. Reports are delivered directly to your dashboard so you can review applications, compare renters fairly, and move forward with confidence.
In short, tenant screening is more than a formality—it’s an important step to protect your rental business, minimize risk, and choose renters who will take care of your property. By understanding a renter’s history before handing over the keys, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more predictable leasing experience.
What’s Included in a Tenant Screening Report
A tenant screening report provides a complete, at-a-glance picture of an applicant’s background to help you evaluate whether they’re a good fit for your rental. Instead of relying solely on references or what a renter shares, screening reports provide verified data pulled from trusted credit and background check providers. This allows landlords to compare applicants fairly, minimize risk, and make informed leasing decisions with confidence.
Most tenant background checks include the following key components:
Credit Report & Credit Score
A credit report shows how a prospective renter manages their financial responsibilities. It helps you understand whether they typically make payments on time and how much existing debt they’re carrying. Along with the report, you’ll see a credit score that summarizes their overall creditworthiness.
The credit report may include:
- Credit score (such as a FICO score or ResidentScore®)
- Open credit lines and payment history
- Loan balances and recent inquiries
- Collections, late payments, or delinquencies
- Past bankruptcies or financial disputes
This information helps landlords assess financial stability and determine whether the applicant is likely to pay rent consistently.
Background Check (Criminal & Public Records)
A background check provides insight into an applicant’s history beyond their financial profile. It helps landlords understand whether there are any past criminal offenses, legal issues, or court records associated with the applicant.
Background checks typically include:
- Nationwide criminal records search
- Sex offender registry search
- Identity verification
- Past housing-related court actions
This part of the screening report helps reduce risk and ensures a safer environment for your rental property and other residents. Online screening services filter this information in compliance with local laws, so landlords can review results fairly and responsibly.
Eviction History Search
An eviction history report shows whether a renter has been involved in eviction proceedings in the past. Because evictions are costly and time-consuming, this information is crucial when evaluating reliability.
Eviction history reports may show:
- Court-filed eviction cases
- Judgments or outcomes
- Property management disputes
- Previous rental payment issues
A clean eviction history often indicates a strong record of cooperation and housing stability, while repeated evictions can signal higher risk.
Income & Employment Verification
To ensure that a renter can comfortably afford the rent, screening reports may also include income verification. This helps confirm that the income listed on their rental application is accurate.
Income verification may include:
- Employer name and employment status
- Verified income statements or paystubs
- Bank-verified deposit data (in some screening platforms)
- Documents like W-2s, 1099s, or offer letters (depending on applicant)
This step is crucial for confirming rent-to-income qualification, which contributes to a smoother rental experience for both parties.
Why These Reports Matter
Each part of the tenant screening report works together to give you a full 360° view of a renter’s history. Instead of guessing or hoping for the best, you’re making decisions based on verified information, reducing the likelihood of:
- Missed rent payments
- Property damage
- Lease violations
- Conflicts or legal action
With online screening tools like Zillow Tenant Screening, you receive all of these reports in one place, right alongside the rental application—making it easier to compare applicants, communicate confidently, and fill your vacancy faster.
How Online Tenant Screening Works (Step-by-Step)
Online tenant screening makes the application and approval process faster, easier, and more secure for both landlords and renters. Instead of collecting paperwork, scanning documents, or handling sensitive personal information, everything happens digitally in one place. Applicants submit their information and authorize screening themselves, and landlords receive complete reports they can review immediately.
Here’s how the tenant screening process typically works:
Step 1 — Invite or Allow Applicants to Apply
You can either:
- Enable applications directly from your rental listing, or
- Privately invite a renter to apply using a shareable link
With Zillow Rental Manager, you can turn on the Apply now button so any interested renter can submit an application. If you’d like to keep the process private, simply send an invitation via email or text to the applicants you’re considering. This makes it easy to control who applies and when—no extra forms or manual follow-ups required.
Key benefit: You stay organized and only review complete, verified applications.
Step 2 — Applicant Completes the Rental Application
Once invited, renters complete a secure online application where they provide:
- Personal and contact information
- Employment and income details
- Residence history
- Household information
At the same time, they authorize the credit, background, and eviction checks, so you don’t have to collect sensitive data like SSNs. Renters usually pay the application fee, which covers the full screening report.
Key benefit: The renter handles identity verification directly—you never manage sensitive information.
Step 3 — Screening Reports Are Generated Automatically
After the applicant submits their information, your tenant screening reports are prepared instantly and delivered to your dashboard. These reports typically include:
- Credit report and score
- Background check
- Eviction history
- Income verification or documentation
No additional steps or follow-ups are required. Everything arrives ready to review.
Key benefit: No waiting — reports are available immediately so you can keep the rental process moving.
Step 4 — Review and Compare Applicants
Once reports are available, you can:
- Evaluate credit and income qualifications
- Check rental and employment history
- Look for any eviction or criminal records (as allowed by law)
- Compare multiple applicants side-by-side
Because all application and screening data is stored in the same place, reviewing and choosing a tenant becomes simple, consistent, and fair.
Key benefit: You make a confident leasing decision based on verified information—not guesswork or assumptions.
Step 5 — Approve the Renter and Move Forward
If the applicant meets your criteria, you can move directly into lease signing and next steps. Many online rental platforms allow you to:
- Send a digital lease
- Sign electronically
- Begin rent payment setup
This creates a smooth transition from application → screening → signing → move-in.
Why This Matters
Online tenant screening:
- Saves time by eliminating paperwork
- Reduces risk through verified identity and background checks
- Keeps everything organized in one dashboard
- Helps you fill vacancies faster
- Supports fair and consistent evaluation
With a streamlined, secure process, you can focus on finding the right renter—not managing forms.
Why Use Zillow Tenant Screening?
Zillow Tenant Screening is designed to make the rental process simple, transparent, and fast for landlords and property managers. Instead of juggling multiple tools or collecting sensitive information yourself, Zillow brings applications, credit reports, background checks, eviction history, and income documents into one secure place. This helps you choose renters with confidence and fill your vacancy sooner — without additional effort or fees.
Here are the core advantages of using Zillow’s screening tools:
Free for Landlords
Zillow tenant screening is no cost to landlords. Renters pay a flat application fee, which includes:
- A credit report
- A background check
- Eviction history
- The ability to apply to multiple participating listings for 30 days
This means you can screen as many applicants as needed — without paying a screening service fee or passing extra costs onto yourself.
Benefit: You get complete screening info with zero out-of-pocket expenses.
Powered by Trusted Data Providers
Zillow partners with Experian and CIC, long-standing leaders in credit and background reporting. These providers pull information from reliable national databases, giving you an accurate view of each applicant’s:
- Financial history
- Rental history
- Criminal and eviction records (where allowed)
This means the information you review is verified, current, and compliant.
Benefit: You’re evaluating applicants using industry-trusted data, not unverified details or personal interpretations.
All Reports and Applications in One Dashboard
Because tenant screening is built directly into Zillow Rental Manager, everything you need is available from a single dashboard:
- View applications instantly
- Compare multiple applicants side-by-side
- Receive alerts when reports are ready
- Track progress from application to approval
Benefit: You stay organized and informed—no separate logins, files, or spreadsheets required.
Compliant and Secure Screening
Zillow’s tenant screening tools are designed to meet local and federal housing regulations, including fair housing and data privacy requirements. Rental history, credit, and background information is filtered and shared in compliance with regional screening laws.
Benefit: You can screen tenants fairly and responsibly — while protecting both your applicant and yourself.
In short:
Zillow Tenant Screening helps you sign renters quickly, confidently, and securely — without extra cost or complexity.
Sample Tenant Screening Criteria Checklist
Use this checklist to evaluate applicants consistently and fairly. You can adjust these criteria based on your local market, rental price, and lease expectations.
| Screening Criteria | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Score | Meets or exceeds your minimum threshold | Suggests reliable payment history + financial stability |
| Income-to-Rent Ratio | Income is 2.5–3x monthly rent (or more) | Helps ensure the renter can comfortably afford payments |
| Employment Verification | Steady employment or verified source of income | Reduces the risk of missed rent payments |
| Rental History | Positive references and no unresolved disputes | Indicates responsibility and respectful tenancy |
| Eviction History | No prior evictions (or clear context if present) | Helps avoid repeat eviction situations |
| Background Check | No disqualifying criminal records (per local law) | Supports safe and compliant housing decisions |
| Application Completeness | Fully filled-out form + required documents submitted | Shows seriousness and respect for the process |
Tip: Evaluate every applicant using the same checklist to ensure fair and consistent screening.
Common Red Flags to Watch For
While no single factor should determine whether you approve or decline an applicant, a tenant screening report can highlight potential concerns worth reviewing more closely. The goal is to use this information to make informed decisions, apply your criteria consistently, and ensure you choose a renter who is a good fit for your property.
Here are some of the most common red flags to look for during the screening process:
1. Repeated Late Payments or Collections
A history of late payments or accounts sent to collections can indicate difficulty managing financial obligations. If this appears in the credit report, consider asking follow-up questions to understand the situation. Sometimes temporary circumstances caused the issue, and the renter may now be on stable footing.
What to look for:
- Multiple recent late payments
- Outstanding utility or rental-related balances
- Frequent debt collection activity
2. Income That Doesn’t Align With Rent
If the applicant’s verified income does not comfortably support the monthly rent, there may be an increased risk of missed payments. Most landlords use a 2.5–3x monthly rent income guideline, though exact thresholds vary.
What to look for:
- Income below your required ratio
- Unverified or unclear employment history
- Irregular income with no documentation
3. Unresolved Prior Evictions
An eviction in a tenant’s history doesn’t always mean automatic disqualification, but it is a sign to understand what happened. Some renters have valid explanations — such as job loss or medical circumstances — while multiple evictions may indicate a pattern of housing instability.
What to look for:
- Multiple evictions in recent years
- Evictions tied to non-payment or property damage
- No reasonable explanation from the applicant
4. Significant Gaps or Inconsistencies in Rental History
A strong rental history usually reflects timely payments and positive relationships with previous landlords. If there are gaps, unclear references, or disputes, consider asking for additional context.
What to look for:
- Frequent moves without clear reasons
- References that cannot be verified
- Prior landlord disputes without documentation
5. Concerning Background Check Results (Where Legally Allowed)
Background checks can help ensure a safe and respectful living environment, but it’s important to follow your state and local screening laws when reviewing criminal record information. Some regions limit what can be considered.
What to look for:
- Recent or serious offenses, where permitted to evaluate
- Patterns of behavior that may pose risk
- Ensure decisions align with fair housing regulations
6. Incomplete or Inaccurate Application Information
A strong rental application is complete, consistent, and well-documented. If key details are missing, conflicting, or not supported by proof, it may signal lack of transparency.
What to look for:
- Missing income documentation
- Conflicting contact or residence history
- Refusal to authorize background or credit checks
Use Red Flags as Conversation Starters, Not Automatic Disqualifiers
If you notice a potential red flag:
- Ask the applicant for clarification
- Review documentation
- Evaluate the explanation fairly and consistently
- Make your decision based on your written screening criteria
Screening is not about rejecting applicants — it’s about ensuring a good, stable rental match that supports a positive landlord–tenant relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does online tenant screening work?
Online tenant screening allows renters to complete a secure rental application and authorize screening reports digitally. Once they submit their information, you’ll receive a credit report, background check, eviction history, and income documentation directly in your Zillow Rental Manager dashboard. There’s no paperwork to collect, no sensitive information for you to handle, and reports are available almost instantly. You can review applicants side-by-side, compare qualifications, and make confident decisions — all in one place.
2. Do landlords have to pay for Zillow tenant screening?
No. Zillow tenant screening is free for landlords. Renters pay a $35 application fee, which includes their screening reports and allows them to apply to your listing and other participating rentals for 30 days. This keeps your screening process cost-effective, while providing renters with flexibility and transparency. You can screen as many applicants as needed without additional fees.
3. What information is included in the screening report?
A Zillow tenant screening report typically includes:
- Credit report & score from Experian
- Background check from CIC (where legally allowed)
- Eviction history search
- Income and employment documentation
This provides a full picture of the applicant’s financial reliability, rental history, and overall suitability. All reports are organized in your dashboard so you can review key details quickly and consistently.
4. How long do tenant credit and background checks take?
In most cases, screening reports are delivered instantly as soon as the renter completes their application and authorizes screening. There’s no extra waiting period or manual processing. If additional identity verification is required, renters will be prompted to answer verification questions — this usually resolves within minutes.
5. Can I screen tenants who didn’t find my listing on Zillow?
Yes. You can screen any prospective renter — even if your listing isn’t on Zillow or your lead came from another source. Simply go to the Applications tab in Zillow Rental Manager and send an application invite link via email or text. The renter completes the application online, and you receive the full screening report in your dashboard.
6. What if the screening report shows a low credit score?
A credit score is one part of the evaluation process. Consider the full picture:
- Income stability
- Rental history
- References
- Payment patterns
If something concerns you, you can ask for clarification, review documents, or apply your written screening criteria consistently. Decisions should always be based on fair, non-discriminatory standards.
7. Does tenant screening check for eviction history?
Yes. Zillow tenant screening includes an eviction history search, which pulls data from national court records. This helps landlords understand whether a renter has been involved in prior eviction proceedings. If an eviction appears, it’s a good idea to review the context and timeline before making a decision.
8. Is tenant screening compliant with Fair Housing laws?
Yes. Zillow works with industry-leading providers that follow federal, state, and local regulations. Criminal and eviction information is filtered according to applicable laws in your area. As a landlord, your responsibility is to apply consistent screening criteria to every applicant to ensure fair and lawful evaluation.
9. How long are screening reports available to view?
Screening reports remain accessible in your Zillow Rental Manager dashboard as part of the applicant’s file. Renters retain the ability to reuse their screening data for 30 days across participating Zillow network listings. You can download or store copies as needed for record-keeping.
10. What should I do after selecting a tenant?
Once you approve an applicant, you can move directly into lease creation, signing, and rent setup. Zillow also offers tools to:
- Create and sign state-specific leases
- Set up secure online rent payments
- Manage ongoing communication and requests
This allows you to transition smoothly from screening to move-in — all in the same platform.
Get Started with Zillow Tenant Screening
Finding the right renter doesn’t have to be complicated. With Zillow Tenant Screening, you can review applications, credit reports, background checks, eviction history, and income documents — all in one secure dashboard. Everything is handled online, so you can screen applicants quickly and make confident decisions without paperwork, faxing documents, or collecting sensitive information yourself.
Whether you’re filling your first rental or managing multiple properties, Zillow helps you choose qualified renters, stay organized, and move from listing to lease with ease.
Here’s what you get:
- Full credit, background, and eviction history reports
- Income documentation stored alongside each application
- No cost to landlords — renters pay the application fee
- Fast, compliant, and secure screening powered by industry leaders
- Integrated tools to create leases, collect rent, and manage your property
When you’re ready to review applicants and find the best fit for your rental, Zillow gives you the information you need — right when you need it.
