Tenant Screening and
Background Checks
HOW WE SCREEN TENANTS
Rhino Property Management runs a four-part tenant screening process on every applicant: credit report, employment and income verification, rental history, and eviction and criminal record checks. Every screening is built around the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and fair housing law, so you get a consistent, legally sound answer on whether an applicant is a fit for your property — not a guess.
Why Tenant Screening is Crucial for Landlords
Background checks and tenant screening overlap, but a background check goes a layer deeper. Here’s how Rhino Property Management defines each:
Because this information is sensitive, we handle it under the confidentiality laws that govern consumer reports, and we perform every background check thoroughly and efficiently to protect both you and the applicant.
1
Financial loss
A tenant who can’t pay rent leads to costly and time-consuming evictions.
2
Property damage
A renter who disrespects the property, causing significant damage beyond a security deposit.
3
Safety concerns
Allowing a tenant with a dangerous criminal history to live on your property.
Our Tenant Screening Process
We use a meticulous, multi-step process to evaluate every applicant, ensuring we find the best fit for your property. Our process includes:
Credit Report
We pull a detailed credit report to understand an applicant’s financial responsibility. We review their payment history, debt-to-income ratio, and any outstanding collections. This helps us predict their ability to consistently pay rent on time.
Employment and Income Verification
We verify the applicant’s employment and income to ensure they can comfortably afford the rent. Our standard guideline is that the tenant’s gross monthly income should be at least three times the monthly rent.
Confirm Previous Rental History
We contact previous landlords to confirm the applicant’s rental history. We ask specific questions about their payment history, how they maintained the property, and their overall conduct as a tenant.
Pull Eviction Reports and Criminal Records
We conduct a thorough search for any eviction or criminal history. This is a critical step to protect your investment and the safety of the community. We use a comprehensive database to check for past evictions and criminal convictions.
Fully FCRA-compliant Screening
We conduct every check in full compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, handling sensitive information responsibly and accurately.
- Consent first. All applicant data is collected with the applicant's consent.
- Secure & confidential. Personal information is handled securely and kept confidential.
- Transparent denials. Applicants denied based on their report receive a copy of it.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Browse our available properties to see the quality homes we manage, and check out reviews for Rhino Property Management below.
You have questions. We have
answers.
What does Rhino Property Management check during tenant screening?
Every applicant is screened on four fronts: a credit report to check payment history, verification of employment and proof of income, confirmation of previous rental history, and a pull of eviction reports and criminal records.
What's the difference between tenant screening and a background check?
Tenant screening is Rhino’s standard process for every applicant. A background check goes further, more thoroughly compiling employment, credit, and criminal history for a deeper review when you want additional assurance before approving a tenant.
Does Rhino Property Management comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?
Yes. Rental applications are designed to fairly collect personally identifying information, address possible criminal or eviction history, and give applicants a clear opportunity to agree to the terms of a tenant screening report, in line with FCRA obligations.
Do you treat all rental applicants equally?
Yes. Rhino Property Management follows fair housing law and treats each individual equally throughout the screening process.
What happens if an applicant's credit report comes back with issues?
Applicants are given the opportunity to discuss the report and go over any discrepancies in question before a final decision is made.
Is tenant screening included with property management service?
Yes. Tenant screening and background checks are part of the comprehensive bundle of property management services Rhino Property Management offers.