What Renters Should Know About Tenant Screening

Securing a new home is at the top of the to-do list for military families after a PCS move. Finding a pet-friendly rental, one with rent that fits within BAH, a home near public transit, or one zoned for a school that supports your child's needs takes some effort. And while these are important factors, there's another key step that often gets overlooked: tenant screening. 

Landlords screen tenants to find the right fit and weed out applicants who don't meet their must-haves early on. Being prepared ensures you're positioned well to land your dream rental.

What Renters Should Expect During the Screening Process

While sifting through available rental ads, you can become so dedicated to finding the perfect housing solution that you forget that the properties you're touring are actually a part of the owner's rental business. Yes, a business with an owner who wants to keep it profitable and healthy. There's also a good chance the owner is a service member who may or may not be living near the property. 

Here's what to know about tenant screening and the answers you'll need to provide for consideration. Depending on the owner, the screening process might be strict, lenient, or somewhere in the middle in their effort to find tenants. It's best to prepare for all options.

Tenant Pre-Screening Techniques

Before diving into expensive and time-consuming background checks for renters, there's a good chance landlords will try the free, easy route first. 

The Initial Landlord/Tenant Contact

From the first time you reach out to the property owner, they'll gauge your ability to take care of their house and pay rent on time. They'll ask casual questions about why and when you plan to move, if you have pets, and about your workplace. Don't be surprised—landlords are upfront about telling you they'll perform a credit check. They also have the option to check your criminal history and verify your employment and rental history. 

Keep in mind they'll notice if you've ignored their marketing and advertising, such as if you haven't paid attention to the specifics they've mentioned, like "call ONLY between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m." If you call at 10 a.m., they could remove your name as a contender. 

Do Landlords Look at Your Social Media?

There's no easier way for a landlord to check out your lifestyle than to do a few searches across social media platforms. This includes popular private groups, especially if you're military-connected. They'll assume that since you've posted the information for public viewing, you're okay with the perceptions formed from photographs and quick comments. 

Although these may not be accurate indicators of your opinions and habits, your landlord won't want to take the time to uncover the "true you" if they have a stack of applicants competing for the house.

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Military Referrals and References

At this point, you've probably realized the military world is small, and a few inquiries can expose connections. Mutual associations are common, and if your homeowner is a military member or veteran, they just might know someone who has worked with you, lived as your neighbor, or has been your previous landlord.

Are you a landlord wondering how to find tenants? Check out Tenant Screening Tips for Landlords.

What to Know About the Fair Housing Act 

A landlord has legal reasons to reject your application, usually stemming from convicted criminal behavior or the lack of employment. However, several personal factors cannot automatically take you out of the running for a home. 

Protected classes are written into the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The federally mandated act states,

"The FHA forbids housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. Homeowners are legally bound to uphold the same terms and conditions for each applicant. Homeowners cannot attach different qualifiers to a protected class applicant, for example, requiring a deposit for one set of renters, but not another."

If you believe a landlord has rejected you on any of these points, you can report the landlord to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Comprehensive Tenant Screening Techniques 

The landlord has an ideal tenant in mind. Here are the benchmarks they're looking for:

• A monthly income of two to three times the rent each month (depending on the local market). 
• The ability to pay upfront deposits and fees.
• Clean eviction report.
• A strong credit score.
• Positive reference checks and a solid employment history.

The homeowner will, depending on their preference, ask you to pay for the background or credit check or place these costs into a general application fee category. They may also include a non-refundable holding deposit or a variation of it.

The Scarcity of Rental Homes and How It Affects Tenant Screening

When home buying is challenging, it puts extreme pressure on the rental market. This, unfortunately, means that military families are now competing with a larger pool of people who need rental homes. 

Make your personal details as tidy as possible and be willing to share them with your potential landlord to set yourself apart from other renters. It helps some renters to consider this information gathering in terms of a "rental resume." In very challenging markets, some renters go as far as actually creating a resume to hand to the homeowner initially. 

Preparation is the key to a successful rental house hunt. If you need more guidance, take a look at our exhaustive collection of blog posts, resource articles, and ebooks specifically written with military renters in mind!