What Is Tenant Screening?
Tenant screening is the process that property management companies and landlords use to evaluate a rental applicant's background before approving them for a lease. The goal of tenant screening is to help property managers make informed, fair decisions about who to rent their property to.
BoomScreen conducts 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 as part of their decision-making process.
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 such as a driver's license or passport.
Income verification — confirming that your income meets the property's financial requirements, typically reviewed through bank account data, payroll records, pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns.
Credit history — a review of your credit report, including your credit score, outstanding debts, payment history, and any accounts in collections.
Criminal record — a check of your criminal background history.
Eviction history — a check of any prior evictions filed against you as a renter.
Housing history — a review of your past addresses and, in some cases, feedback from previous landlords.
Why Do Property Managers Use Tenant Screening?
Property managers use tenant screening to reduce the risk of renting to someone who may:
Fail to pay rent on time — income and credit history help property managers assess an applicant's ability and history of meeting financial obligations.
Cause property damage — rental history and references can provide insight into how an applicant has treated previous properties.
Pose a safety risk — criminal background checks help property managers assess potential safety concerns for other residents and the property.
Tenant screening also benefits applicants by creating a consistent, standardized evaluation process — meaning all applicants for the same property are assessed using the same criteria, rather than subjective judgment alone.
Does Every Property Use the Same Screening Criteria?
No. Each property management company sets its own standards for what qualifies an applicant. BoomScreen conducts the screening and generates the report, but the property management company determines what thresholds for income, credit, criminal history, and other factors are required for their property.
If you have questions about the specific screening requirements for a property you are applying to, contact the property management company directly.
Can I See My Own Tenant Screening Report?
Yes. You are entitled to request a free copy of your tenant screening report — also called your consumer file — for any rental application submitted within the past 60 days, at no cost to you. To request a copy, visit the Boom Consumer Relations page — https://www.boompay.app/consumer-relations.
If you believe there is an error in your report, you have the right to dispute it. See the article "How Do I Dispute the Decision on My Rental Application?" for full instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tenant Screening
Is tenant screening legal?
Yes, tenant screening is a standard and legal practice used by landlords and property management companies across the United States. However, tenant screening must comply with applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. BoomScreen is designed to support compliant screening practices.
What if I have a less-than-perfect rental or credit history?
Having an imperfect credit or rental history does not automatically disqualify you from renting a property. Each property management company sets its own qualifying standards, and some may be more flexible than others. Options that may help include adding a guarantor or co-signer to your application. See the article "Can I Add a Guarantor or Co-Signer to My Rental Application?" for more information.
Need Help?
If you have questions about your tenant screening report or the BoomScreen application process, contact Boom directly:
Live chat — click the chat icon in the bottom right corner of the BoomScreen application.
Email Boom Support — hello@boompay.app