The Best Tenant Screening Service for Small Landlords

This section is specifically for the purpose of evaluating the cost of screening reports.  When investigating the overall expense of a property management software product – including many features beyond screening – the calculus is more complex.  

Also Read: Best Free Online Ways To Advertise Property For Rent

Another factor to consider when it comes to credit information is who orders and who pays for reports.  Because the information is so sensitive and private, laws dictate that any entity that orders detailed credit reports must go through a vetting process – usually involving a site inspection and identity verification, and sometimes documentation of property ownership.  When ordered by an applicant this step is not necessary.

Criteria Used To Evaluate on Pricing

We considered these cost-related questions when choosing the best tenant screening service:

1. Cost to a landlord.  We favor services that require applicants to pay directly.  
2. Overall cost of reports, no matter who pays.
3. Whether a subscription is required.  While we think it’s reasonable to have an account (profile) with a service, we believe a monthly paid subscription requirement is a negative.
4. Flexibility. While we prefer applicant-pay models, some landlords will prefer to pay so that applying for an apartment is free to prospective tenants.  Being able to order some reports but not others is also a choice that some landlords will value.
5. Integration with a free online application and additional tenant management features.

Scoring Our Contenders

Avail – score 9/10:

Pricing is a mixed-bag with Avail. On one hand they are the only service that has a report that’s truly free to both landlord and applicant. It includes job history, rental history, and income verification. On the other hand the Full Screening report, which is very comprehensive, costs $55. Landlords can choose whether to pay for the report or have the applicant do so.

TenantCloud – score 9.5/10:

TenantCloud stands out where it comes to value. Only a free membership is required in order to screen applicants, reports start at $25, and either the landlord or applicant can pay that fee.

Screen Renters – score 9.5/10:

There is no cost to the landlord and the tenant pays a flat fee of $39, which is very reasonable for a full background and screening package.

RentRedi – score 8.5/10:

At $35 for a comprehensive report RentRedi is very reasonably priced. While they provide great tenant screening services, we had to give them a lower score for cost because a paid subscription is required for all features. Additionally there is no option to have a landlord pay instead of the applicant.

SparkRental – score 9/10: 

Since the revamp of their product last year SparkRental has moved from a subscription to a pay-per-service model. As of then tenants pay directly for screening reports. After an initial freebee the Tenant ID Check costs $1.99. The Full Credit and Criminal Report Package runs $29.95, the Nationwide Eviction Report runs $4.95. This pricing is on-par with other services, and it’s nice to be able to choose the reports that are important to you. SparkRental does not, however, give landlords the option to pay for reports themselves.

Rentec Direct – score 8/10:  

To begin with a monthly subscription, which starts at $35 for landlords with 10 units or fewer, is required to use any of RentecDirect’s tools. On the other hand, screening reports are affordable and very flexible. The Basic Report costs $7 and includes criminal and address history records. The Enhanced package costs $10 and adds an eviction report to the Basic offering. Another option is the Premium package, which runs $15 and includes all the information in the lower tier reports and adds a full TransUnion credit check including FICO score. In the event that you want to pick and choose, a-la-carte offerings include: eviction ($8.50), SSN verification & Address history ($3.95.

As I have noted, pricing with RentecDirect is a bit complicated. While there’s a $35+ subscription fee up front, actual tenant screening reports are less expensive than with other companies. Depending on how often you’re screening applicants, on the other hand, the subscription costs may make sense. 

Note: Because ordering reports through Rentec Direct is not “consumer-initiated” (ie ordered by the applicant), a landlord must pay and their office must be inspected before credit information can be delivered.  Landlords also pay for screening reports up front.

ClearNow – score 9.5/10: 

As far as ClearNow goes, applicants pay directly for all screening reports and the results are delivered instantly to you.  In addition, packages are thorough, competitively priced, and tailored to the types of information a landlord might want.  The SmartCheck Premium package, as an illustration, costs $40/applicant and includes full credit, criminal, eviction, Income Insights, and ResidentScore reports.  SmartCheck Plus costs $38 and offers all but the Income Insights report.  On the other hand SmartCheck Basic costs $25 and delivers ResidentScore (see discussion above, under “Credit, Bankruptcies, and Liabilities”) and criminal reports.

Buildium – score 7.5/10:  

Buildium is well suited for property owners and managers with medium-to-large portfolios, so is not terribly cost competitive for small landlords who aren’t also looking for full-service property management features.   While screening report costs are low – $15 for Basic and $18 for Premium – the entry-level “Essential” subscription runs $50/mo.

ezLandlordForms – score 9.5/10:

On balance, Tenant screening reports are priced reasonably at $29.95 for the Standard package and $34.95 for the Gold package, which includes the eviction report. Landlords can pay directly or have their applicants do so. Significantly, no subscription is required to use ezLandlordForms’ application or screening services.

RentPrep – score 10/10:  

Since RentPrep only provides screening reports and does not use any kind of subscription model, pricing is fairly simple.  Their Tenant Background Check costs $21, with the option to add-on a criminal & sex offender report ($6), and Credit Decision Report ($11).  We believe it’s advisable to order both addition reports, so the overall cost would be $38.  On the negative side this report can only be paid-for by the landlord, who goes through a one-time credentialing process.  On the other hand the SmartMove Full Credit Report costs $38.00 and can be paid-for directly by the applicant. Add-ons to this report include Judgements/Liens for $7 and Income Verification for $10. On balance, given the number of options available and the quality of the reports, we believe RentPrep delivers excellent value.

Apply Connect – score 9.5/10: 

Pricing is simple. Applicants pay $29.95 for a single copy of their report, or $39.95 for the ability to share their report with up to 3 properties. Unless a landlord wants to pay for the reports – which is possible – this is a no-cost service.

Landlord Studio – score 8.5/10:

At $38/report Landlord Studio’s pricing is average pricing for tenant screening by and large. On the other hand all landlords must have a paid subscription, which start at $5.99/mo. One benefit is that landlords can choose whether to pay themselves or have the applicant pay. On balance we believe the biggest value proposition of this service is financial tracking and analysis. Doing screening through Landlord Studio, then carrying on to collect rent and record expenses is a great way to keep track of your property’s financial performance.

Hemlane – score 8.5/10:

On balance Hemlane tenant screening reports are quite affordable at $30, which the applicant pays when they apply. We deducted points here, however, because a subscription is required to use Hemlane services, including background reports.