1
Establish consistent rental criteria
Before reviewing applicants, decide which credit and rental qualifications you will use. Applying the same written criteria consistently can make the screening process easier to manage and document.
Tenant Credit Checks for Landlords
A tenant credit check helps landlords review an applicant's credit history and, depending on the screening package, a credit score before making a rental decision. AAOA makes it easy to order tenant screening services online, including credit reports for rental applicants.
See Tenant Screening Prices & Packages
Starts at $19.99 • Landlord or Tenant Pay • Free Rental Application
What Is a Tenant Credit Check?
A tenant credit check is a consumer report used as part of the rental screening process. It can help a landlord evaluate how an applicant has managed credit obligations by reviewing information such as payment history, account status, balances, delinquencies, collections, and other credit-related details that may appear on the report.
Depending on the report and package selected, a landlord may also receive a credit score. AAOA's tenant screening credit reports use a soft credit inquiry, which means the inquiry does not affect the applicant's credit score.
Important distinctionA credit report is not the same thing as a complete tenant background check. Criminal records, eviction history, identity-related screening, employment verification, and rental-history verification come from separate reports or verification services rather than from the credit report itself.
Why Should Landlords Run Tenant Credit Checks?
A tenant credit check can help a landlord evaluate how an applicant has handled financial obligations before entering into a lease. Reviewing credit history alongside your established rental criteria can help identify patterns such as late payments, collections, or other credit issues that may be relevant to the rental decision.
Credit information is only one part of tenant screening. Depending on your criteria and screening package, you may also want to review eviction history, criminal records, identity-related information, or other available screening reports.
Tenant Screening Pricing & Packages
Not ready to order? You've got options.
FREE Online Rental Application
Invite prospective tenants to fill out a free online rental application. Once completed you’ll be notified by email to prescreen the tenant, select a tenant screening package, and decide who pays.
Get an Application Link
Screen Tenants with an ApplyNow Link!
Customize this shareable link by selecting a tenant screening package, optional landlord and employment verifications, and more. Share the link and start getting applicants today.
Get an ApplyNow LinkHow to Run a Credit Check on a Tenant
If you are wondering how to run a credit check on a tenant, the process can be broken into a few practical steps.
2
Collect a completed rental application and authorization
Use a rental application form that collects the information needed for screening and includes appropriate authorization language. Keep the signed application with your rental records.
3
Order the tenant screening package that fits your needs
With AAOA's standard tenant-cooperation process, the applicant receives a secure email, verifies their identity, and authorizes release of the credit information. The landlord is notified when the credit report and score are ready to view.
More details about underwriting
Landlords and property managers who complete AAOA's optional underwriting process can receive credit reports at checkout without waiting for the tenant-cooperation step. Underwritten users still need the required signed rental application.
4
Review the report against your rental criteria
Evaluate the applicant using the same standards you use for other applicants. If information in a consumer report contributes to an unfavorable rental decision, follow the applicable adverse-action notice requirements described below.
♢Soft credit pull — AAOA credit inquiries do not affect the applicant’s credit score.
What Does a Tenant Credit Report Show?
The exact information can vary by credit bureau, report type, and applicant credit file. A landlord credit report may include:
✓Credit scoreWhen included with the selected report or package
✓Payment historyOn reported credit accounts
✓Open and closed accountsAnd their reported status
✓Outstanding balances and debt obligationsShown on the credit file
✓Late payments, delinquencies, and collectionsWhen reported
✓Recent addressesAssociated with the credit file
✓Other credit-file informationSuch as bankruptcy, foreclosure, or inquiries, when present and reportable
A credit report can provide useful financial context, but it does not by itself verify an applicant's current income, employment, eviction history, or criminal history. Those items should be evaluated through the appropriate application information, verification process, or separate screening report.
Tenant Credit Check vs. Full Tenant Screening
A rental credit check answers one important part of the screening question: how has the applicant handled credit obligations? A broader tenant screening package can provide additional information when you need a more complete view.
Tenant Credit Check
- Credit report
- Credit score, when included
- Payment history
- Accounts and balances
- Delinquencies and collections
- Recent addresses
Broader Tenant Screening
- Credit report and score options
- Eviction-history reports
- Criminal-record searches
- Identity-related screening
- Verification services, when ordered
✓A credit report is one part of the rental screening process.
Does a Tenant Credit Check Hurt the Applicant's Credit Score?
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NO — AAOA uses a soft credit pull.
AAOA states that its tenant screening credit inquiries are soft pulls. A soft credit pull does not affect the applicant's credit score.
For landlords, this means you can include credit information in a rental screening process without creating a hard inquiry on the applicant's credit file through AAOA's screening service.
What Should Landlords Look for in a Tenant Credit Check?
A tenant credit report is most useful when it is reviewed against clear, consistently applied rental criteria. Rather than focusing on one number or one isolated event, consider the overall pattern shown by the report.
Payment patterns
Are accounts generally paid as agreed, or are there repeated late payments?
Recent delinquencies or collections
Look at recency, frequency, and the type of obligation involved.
Account status
Review open accounts, closed accounts, and any accounts reported as past due.
Debt obligations
Consider the obligations shown on the report together with income information you have separately verified.
Credit-file consistency
Compare addresses and other credit-file information with the rental application when appropriate.
Overall context
Use the same written screening standards for every applicant rather than making ad hoc decisions.
Remember: Income, employment history, eviction records, and criminal records are not simply components of a credit report. If those factors are part of your screening criteria, use the appropriate verification or screening report and follow all applicable laws.
Use Tenant Credit Reports Fairly and Consistently
Tenant credit reports and tenant screening reports are consumer reports. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act applies when landlords use consumer reports for rental decisions.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, if information in a consumer report contributes in whole or in part to an adverse action, the applicant must receive an adverse-action notice. Examples can include denying an application, requiring a co-signer, requiring a larger deposit, or charging a higher rent based on information in the report.
Review the FTC's guidance for landlords using consumer reports, and check any additional federal, state, or local requirements that apply to your rental property.
This information is educational and is not a substitute for legal advice.
Why Use AAOA for Tenant Credit Checks?
AAOA offers tenant credit checks as part of its online tenant screening services for landlords, property managers, real estate professionals, and other housing providers with a permissible rental-screening purpose.
Starts at $19.99
Affordable tenant screening options for landlords.
Landlord or Tenant Pay
Choose who pays for the screening package.
Free Online Rental Application
Invite applicants to complete a rental application online.
ApplyNow Shareable Links
Create a reusable screening link and share it with prospective tenants.
24/7 Online Ordering
Order tenant screening whenever you need it.
No Underwriting Required
Use the standard tenant-cooperation process without becoming underwritten.
Optional Underwriting
Approved users can receive credit reports without waiting for tenant cooperation.
Credit Bureau Options
Underwritten users may have access to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax options.
Tenant Credit Check FAQs
What is a tenant credit check?
A tenant credit check lets a landlord review an applicant's credit report and, depending on the screening package, a credit score. It can help show payment history, account status, balances, delinquencies, collections, and other credit-related information used as part of a rental decision.
Does an AAOA tenant credit check affect the applicant's credit score?
No. AAOA states that its tenant screening credit inquiries are soft pulls, so they do not impact the applicant's credit score.
How do I run a credit check on a tenant?
Use a rental application with appropriate authorization, choose an AAOA tenant screening package, and submit the applicant information. With tenant cooperation, the applicant receives a secure email to verify identity and authorize release of the credit report. Underwritten users can receive credit reports without the tenant cooperation step, but still need the required signed rental application.
Is a tenant credit check the same as a tenant background check?
No. A credit check focuses on credit history and credit-related information. A broader tenant screening or background check can include additional reports such as eviction history, criminal records, identity-related screening, and verification services, depending on the package ordered.
How quickly can I get a tenant credit report through AAOA?
AAOA accepts tenant screening orders 24/7. With tenant cooperation, the credit report and score become available after the applicant verifies identity and authorizes release. Approved underwritten users can receive credit reports at checkout without waiting for tenant cooperation.
What should a landlord look for in a tenant credit report?
Review the report consistently against your written rental criteria. Relevant credit factors can include payment patterns, recent delinquencies, collections, account status, balances, and other financial obligations. Income, employment, eviction history, and criminal records come from separate information or screening reports rather than the credit report itself.
Ready to Screen Your Tenant?
Review AAOA's tenant screening packages and choose the reports that fit your rental criteria.
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