GuidePost 13Tenant screening
Build a Consistent Rental Application Review Process
A written review process helps you explain what information matters and handle comparable applications consistently. Start before advertising, not...
104 practical posts
Landlord Problem-Solving Library
A practical starting point for the rental problem in front of you. Explore clear steps, useful checklists and real-world scenarios.
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GuidePost 14Tenant screening
A Credit Score Is a Starting Point for Questions
Two applicants with similar scores can have very different underlying records. A score alone cannot explain the facts, their accuracy, or which...
ChecklistPost 15Tenant screening
Rental Application Review Checklist and Decision Record
Use a decision record to track a review, not to invent a new set of screening rules. Your criteria and required notices need jurisdiction-specific review.
Download worksheetScenarioPost 16Tenant screening
An Applicant Has Limited Credit History: What to Verify
A hypothetical applicant has recent employment and little credit history. The landlord must evaluate the application without treating missing...
GuidePost 17Tenant screening
Verify Rental References Without Guessing Who Answered
A friendly reference call is useful only if you know who supplied the information and what they can verify. Build a repeatable process rather than...
GuidePost 18Tenant screening
Income Verification When Employment Is Not Straightforward
Self-employment, a recent job change, or multiple income sources can make a standard employment form a poor fit. The next step is a clear...
ChecklistPost 19Tenant screening
A Reference Call Template with Room for Uncertainty
A reference template should capture facts and limits, not encourage a character judgment. Have the questions reviewed for your application process...
Download worksheetScenarioPost 20Tenant screening
A Reference Cannot Be Reached: Keep the File Moving Fairly
In this hypothetical application, the previous landlord does not answer two calls. The applicant says the property was sold. Silence creates a...
GuidePost 21Tenant screening
Declining an Application: Separate Courtesy from Required Notice
A polite rejection message and a legally required notice serve different purposes. Do not assume that one short text handles both.
GuidePost 22Tenant screening
When an Applicant Says the Screening Report Is Wrong
A report dispute deserves a clear route. The landlord should not attempt to adjudicate an entire credit file through a casual text exchange.
ChecklistPost 23Tenant screening
Application Decision Communication Checklist
Before communicating an application decision, confirm that the message matches the file. This checklist organizes the work; it does not replace a...
Download worksheetScenarioPost 24Tenant screening
A Conditional Offer Changes: Stop Before Sending Another Message
In this hypothetical example, a landlord sends an applicant a message saying the home is theirs, then discovers an unresolved screening issue. A...