Prices checked on October 15, 2026 Prices change. Confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
Before you hand over keys, collect an application, verify identity and income, and run credit, criminal and eviction checks. On the platforms we checked, screening is usually paid by the applicant: TurboTenant $45–$55 depending on your plan, RentRedi $39.99 (or $49.99 with income verification), and Baselane from $24.99. Stessa offers RentPrep screening from $29 on every plan, including free. Always follow your local fair-housing and application-fee rules.
Screening Checklist
- Written application. Name, contact details, current and prior addresses, employment, income, and consent to a background check.
- Identity. Government-issued photo ID that matches the application.
- Income and employment. Pay stubs, offer letter or tax returns. TurboTenant lists income and employer verification on its paid tiers. RentRedi offers Plaid-certified income verification as a $49.99 screening option.
- Credit, criminal and eviction reports. Run through a platform that packages these together.
- References. Prior landlords and, if useful, an employer.
- Consistent criteria. Apply the same standards to every applicant to stay within fair-housing rules.
- Keep records. Save the application, report and your decision notes.
Screening Prices (Vendor Sites)
| Platform | Screening price | Who pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTenant | $45 (Pro) · $55 (Free/Essentials) | Renter (landlord can choose to pay) | Credit, criminal and eviction. Income/employer verification on paid tiers. |
| RentRedi | $39.99 · $49.99 with income verification | Tenant | Credit, criminal and eviction. Income verification is Plaid-certified. |
| Baselane | From $24.99 | Listed as a tenant fee | Report contents not detailed on the pricing page. |
| Stessa | $29–$49 via RentPrep | Landlord or tenant (background: landlord only) | Available on all plans; income verification add-on $10. |
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For a full tool comparison, see best tenant screening services and best landlord software.
Step by Step: From Inquiry to Signed Lease
- Publish your criteria with the listing. Minimum income (many landlords use a multiple of rent), pet rules, move-in date and the screening fee. Everyone sees the same rules.
- Pre-screen inquiries. TurboTenant lists automatic pre-screeners; otherwise ask the same three or four questions by message to every inquiry.
- Show the unit. Keep showing notes factual: date, attendance, questions asked.
- Send the online application. It should collect identity, address history, income, employment, references and consent.
- Order the report. Credit, criminal and eviction together, plus income verification if your platform offers it.
- Verify independently. Call the prior landlord using a number you found yourself, not just the one on the application.
- Decide against your criteria. Write a one-line reason for approval or denial, tied to a criterion.
- Send notices. If a report influenced a denial or conditions (like a higher deposit), send the adverse-action notice that applies.
- Sign the lease and collect move-in funds through your platform so the paper trail is complete.
Red Flags Worth a Second Look
- Pay stubs that don't match bank deposits. Bank-connected income verification helps here: Stessa's RentPrep add-on reads up to 24 months of transaction history.
- A prior "landlord" who answers instantly and has no property records.
- Pressure to skip screening or pay cash before signing.
- Gaps in address history the applicant can't explain.
Screening Budget for 1, 4 and 10 Units
If each unit turns over once a year and you run two reports per vacancy, you'll order 2, 8 or 20 reports a year. Even at the lowest verified starting price (Baselane, from $24.99), 10 units means about $500 a year in reports if you pay them yourself. On TurboTenant the applicant normally pays ($55 on Free and Essentials, $45 on Pro). See full totals in best tenant screening services.
Records to Keep
| Record | Why | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Listing text and criteria | Shows you applied the same rules to everyone | Save a dated PDF or screenshot |
| Applications and consent | Proof you had permission to screen | Platforms store these automatically |
| Screening reports | Basis for your decision | Restrict access; don't print unless needed |
| Decision notes | One line per applicant, tied to criteria | Keep with the application |
| Notices sent | Shows you met notice duties | Send in writing |
Common Mistakes
- Changing criteria mid-search because you like an applicant.
- Charging a fee above your local cap. Some cities and states limit or ban application fees.
- Screening only some applicants. If you screen, screen everyone who reaches the same stage.
- Letting the security deposit or first month's rent be paid outside the platform, so it never reaches your books.
After move-in, set up payments with how to collect rent online.
Checklist in Action
Single Unit, Five Inquiries
Pre-screen all five with the same questions. Two meet your income criteria and complete applications. You order two reports, approve the stronger applicant against your written criteria, and send the second applicant a written decision.
Fourplex with Two Vacancies at Once
Run each unit as its own process with its own listing, but use one criteria sheet. Track every applicant in your platform so you can show they all went through the same steps in the same order.
Ten Units with Steady Turnover
Save your criteria and messages as templates. Batch showings into set windows. Order reports only after an application is complete and the fee is paid, so you don't pay for applicants who drop out.
How We Checked
We read each vendor's own pricing and feature pages on October 15, 2026: TurboTenant pricing, RentRedi pricing, Baselane pricing, Stessa tenant screening page. We only state prices and features shown there. Where a vendor doesn't publish a number, we say "check vendor" rather than guess. Worked examples use the listed prices and simple, stated assumptions; your totals will depend on your plan, billing term and how tenants pay.
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What should a rental application include?
At minimum: contact details, address history, employment and income, consent to a background check, and a copy of a government ID.
Do local laws limit application fees?
Yes, some cities and states cap or ban application fees. Check your local rules before charging applicants.
How long does tenant screening take?
It depends on the platform and how quickly the applicant completes identity verification. Check vendor for typical turnaround times.
Should I call previous landlords?
Yes. Use a phone number you looked up yourself, and ask the same questions for every applicant.
What is income verification?
A report that confirms income, usually by connecting the applicant's bank account. RentRedi includes it in its $49.99 option. Stessa sells it as a $10 add-on ($15 with employment).
Can I screen with only a name and email?
TurboTenant says that without an application, the tenant pays when they verify their identity for the report. You still need their consent.
Do I need a written denial?
If a screening report influenced your decision, adverse-action notice rules may apply. Check the requirements for your situation.
Can I charge a screening fee and keep it if I deny someone?
Rules vary. Some places require refunds or limit fees to actual cost. Check your state and city rules, and tell applicants the policy up front.
Sources
- TurboTenant pricing: https://www.turbotenant.com/pricing/
- RentRedi pricing: https://rentredi.com/pricing/
- Baselane pricing: https://www.baselane.com/pricing
- Stessa pricing: https://www.stessa.com/pricing/
All prices and features above come from these vendor pages, checked on October 15, 2026. Details we couldn't confirm there are left out.