What is tenant screening?

Tenant screening is the process of evaluating potential tenants based on relevant criteria such as credit history, income verification, and rental history. This assessment is essential for landlords and leasing agents to ensure that they select responsible and reliable tenants who are likely to pay rent on time and take care of the property. The screening process helps mitigate risks associated with rental agreements by providing a thorough understanding of an applicant’s financial background and previous rental behavior.

By focusing on factors like credit scores, landlords can gauge the financial stability of prospective tenants. Similarly, verifying income helps to confirm that an applicant has the means to afford the rent. Reviewing rental history provides insights into the tenant's past behaviors, such as payment patterns and any previous evictions. This comprehensive evaluation process is crucial for making informed decisions that can lead to successful landlord-tenant relationships.

The other options, while relevant to the rental process, do not accurately define tenant screening. Advertising rental properties focuses on attracting applicants rather than evaluating them, preparing lease documents pertains to legally solidifying an agreement once a tenant is selected, and landlord licensing requirements generally relate to the legal qualifications needed to own and rent property, rather than the screening process itself.