What Is Tenant Screening?
Tenant screening is the process that property management companies use to evaluate a rental applicant's background before approving them for a lease. The goal of tenant screening is to help property managers assess whether an applicant is a suitable tenant for their rental property.
BoomScreen handles tenant screening on behalf of property management companies. When you submit a BoomScreen application, the information you provide is used to generate a screening report that the property manager reviews.
What Does Tenant Screening Include?
A tenant screening report may include some or all of the following, depending on what the property management company has requested:
Identity verification — confirming that you are who you say you are, typically using a government-issued photo ID.
Income verification — confirming that your income meets the property's financial requirements, typically reviewed through pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, or employer information.
Credit history — a review of your credit report, including your credit score, outstanding debts, and payment history.
Criminal record — a check of your criminal background history.
Eviction history — a check of any prior evictions filed against you as a renter.
Rental history — a review of your past rental addresses and, in some cases, feedback from previous landlords.
Who Sees My Tenant Screening Report?
Your tenant screening report is shared with the property management company (also called your housing provider) for the rental unit you applied to. Boom generates the report and supplies it to the property manager as part of the application process.
Can I See My Own Tenant Screening Report?
Yes, you can request a free copy of your tenant screening report — also called your consumer file — for any rental application submitted within the past 60 days. To request a copy, visit the Boom Consumer Relations page — https://www.boompay.app/consumer-relations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tenant Screening
Does every rental property use the same screening criteria?
No, screening criteria vary by property. Each property management company sets its own requirements for income, credit, criminal history, and other factors. BoomScreen conducts the screening process, but the standards used to evaluate your results are determined by the property management company.
How long does tenant screening take?
The BoomScreen tenant screening application typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete if you have all required information and documents ready. See the article "How Long Does the BoomScreen Application Take to Complete?" for more detail.
What if I disagree with the information in my screening report?
If you believe there is an error in your tenant screening report, you have the right to dispute it. See the article "How Do I Dispute the Decision on My Rental Application?" for more information.