Tenant Background Check

A tenant background check helps landlords review information about a rental applicant before making a leasing decision. Depending on the report or screening package selected, the information may include criminal records, eviction history, identity and address information, and credit data. AAOA offers online tenant background checks for landlords as part of its tenant screening services.

If you are ready to compare reports and prices, you can go directly to AAOA's tenant screening packages and pricing.

Instant Tenant Background Checks for Landlords

Review screening options online. Landlord-pay and tenant-pay options are available.

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Compare AAOA packages that can include credit, criminal, eviction, identity, and other screening reports. View the full package details before you order.

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What Is a Tenant Background Check?

A tenant background check, also called a renter background check or resident screening report, is used by landlords and property managers to review information that may be relevant to a rental decision. The exact information available depends on the report selected and applicable law.

Background screening is often used together with a tenant credit check and a completed rental application as part of a consistent applicant-screening process.

What Does a Tenant Background Check Include?

Criminal Background Information

Depending on the report selected, screening may include criminal-record information from available databases and jurisdictions. Landlords should evaluate any information in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Eviction History

Eviction-related records can help a landlord understand an applicant's prior rental history. Records should be reviewed carefully for identity matching, accuracy, disposition, and any limits imposed by applicable law.

Identity & Address Information

Some screening options include identity-verification or address-history information that can help confirm that the report is being matched to the correct applicant.

Credit Information

Credit information is available with certain AAOA screening packages. If credit is important to your screening process, review the tenant credit check options and the full package comparison.

Tenant Background Check Pricing

AAOA screening packages start at $19.99 per applicant. The summary below provides a quick pricing snapshot. For current package details, included reports, payment options, and ordering, use the full tenant screening pricing page.

Package Price Quick description
Budget Credit $19.99 Credit Report + Score and Identity Verification
Budget Background $19.99 National Eviction and National Criminal
Standard $29.99 Credit, identity, address history, eviction, NSF Check Verifier, and LeaseGuarantee Analyzer
Comprehensive $39.99 Adds national criminal, sex offender, terrorist/federal, and income-estimator reports
PremiumAll Reports $49.99 Adds SSN Fraud, Civil Judgments, and Tax Liens to the Comprehensive reports

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How to Run a Background Check on a Tenant

Use a consistent process for every applicant and verify the requirements that apply to your property and jurisdiction.

Step 1: Collect a completed rental application. Use a written application to gather the information you need and obtain any authorization required for the reports you plan to order. AAOA provides a rental application form.

Step 2: Choose the reports that fit your screening criteria. Background screening may include criminal, eviction, identity, address, and other information. Credit reporting is available through AAOA's tenant credit check options.

Step 3: Run the tenant screening. Compare the tenant screening packages and select the reports you need. Some reports may require applicant identity verification, consent, or other steps before results are available.

Step 4: Review the results using written, consistently applied criteria. Confirm that the information belongs to the applicant and consider the accuracy and relevance of the records before making a decision.

Step 5: Follow applicable notice requirements. If information in a consumer report affects your rental decision, federal law may require an adverse-action notice. State and local law may impose additional requirements.

tenant background check sample report
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Tenant Background Check vs. Tenant Credit Check

A background check and a credit check answer different questions. A tenant background check may include criminal, eviction, identity, and address-related information, while a tenant credit check focuses on credit history and credit-related information. Many landlords use both as part of a broader tenant screening process.

If you only need credit information, review AAOA's tenant credit checks. If you want to compare combined screening options, go directly to the tenant screening package comparison.

What Landlords Should Look for in a Tenant Background Check

Start by confirming that the report appears to match the correct applicant. Review names, addresses, dates, and other identifying details carefully, especially when an applicant has a common name. Screening information can contain errors or incomplete records, so avoid making assumptions based on a single data point.

Use written rental criteria and apply them consistently to applicants. Consider whether the information is relevant to the legitimate rental criteria you established, and follow all federal, state, and local requirements that apply to how screening information may be used.

Compliance reminder: Tenant screening reports used for housing decisions are generally consumer reports under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Landlords should have a permissible purpose, follow applicable authorization requirements, and comply with adverse-action requirements when a decision is based in whole or in part on information from a consumer report. Fair-housing, state, and local rules may add further requirements. Review landlord-tenant laws for your state and consult qualified legal counsel when needed.

Why Tenant Background Checks Matter

Screening gives landlords a more consistent way to evaluate rental applicants using information relevant to their written qualification standards. A documented process can help landlords compare applicants consistently and identify information that may warrant additional review before offering a lease.

Tenant screening should be only one part of the application process. Landlords should also verify application information, follow applicable laws, and avoid relying on inaccurate, mismatched, or legally restricted information.

Tenant Background Check FAQs

How much does a tenant background check cost?

AAOA screening packages currently start at $19.99 per applicant. Pricing varies by package and the reports included. See current tenant screening prices and package details.

Can the tenant pay for the screening report?

AAOA offers landlord-pay and tenant-pay options on its tenant screening packages. Whether and how screening costs may be passed to an applicant can depend on state or local law.

Does a tenant background check include a credit report?

Not every background-check option includes credit. AAOA offers packages that combine background information with credit reporting, as well as separate tenant credit check options.

How long does a tenant background check take?

Timing depends on the reports selected and whether applicant verification, consent, or other steps are required. Many AAOA report results are available quickly once the required steps are complete.

What should I do if a report contains information that may affect my rental decision?

Verify that the information belongs to the applicant and review your written screening criteria. If you take an adverse action based in whole or in part on a consumer report, follow the applicable FCRA adverse-action requirements and any additional state or local requirements.

Compare Tenant Screening Packages

See current pricing, all included reports, and the differences between Budget, Standard, Comprehensive, and Premium screening options.

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Click the map below to explore landlord-tenant laws and tenant background-check resources by state.

Tenant Background Checks by State

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The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws and requirements may change and vary by jurisdiction. AAOA recommends consulting an attorney familiar with current federal, state, and local law.