If you own a rental property in Northern Virginia, whether it's in Alexandria, Tysons Corner, Woodbridge, or nearby, one of the most important steps you can take to protect your investment is properly screening tenants.
A thorough screening process helps ensure you're placing reliable, responsible tenants in your home who are likely to pay on time and care for the property.
This guide walks you through a proven process for tenant screening, from the first contact to final approval.
1. Start with Pre-Screening Questions
When you're flooded with leads, pre-screening can save you hours of time and spare serious applicants from wasting money on application fees.
Before scheduling a showing, ask a few key questions:
Do you know your approximate credit score? (Credit Karma is fine for a general idea.)
What is your monthly gross income?
Have you ever been evicted or filed for bankruptcy?
These aren't meant to replace a full application, but the answers help determine if a prospect is likely to qualify.
2. Use a Comprehensive Rental Application
Once someone passes your pre-screening, have them fill out a rental application. Zillow offers a standard option with built-in screening tools. If you're self-managing, it's worth paying for the highest-tier package, which includes:
Credit check
Criminal background check
Eviction history
These reports help verify the information the applicant provides and flag any potential red flags.
3. Verify Income and Employment
You want to know your tenants can comfortably afford rent before they sign the lease. A good rule of thumb is requiring 3x the monthly rent in gross income. For example, if rent is $2,000/month, the household should earn at least $6,000/month.
Ask for documentation such as:
Pay stubs
Offer letters
Bank statements
Be cautious of documents that seem off. For example, if an "Amazon" offer letter doesn’t include proper branding or contact info, consider verifying it by calling the employer.
4. Check References
This step is often overlooked but can be extremely helpful. Contact:
Their previous landlord: Ask about payment history, property condition, and any issues.
Their employer: Confirm job title, employment status, and income if needed.
Even one quick phone call can give you peace of mind and help you confirm the legitimacy of their application.
5. Set Clear Minimum Standards
At KRS Property Management, we use the following benchmarks for single-family homes:
Minimum credit score: 650
Minimum income: 3x monthly rent
By setting clear standards upfront, you avoid making subjective decisions and stay consistent with Fair Housing laws.
Final Thoughts
Tenant screening takes a little extra time upfront, but it's one of the smartest moves you can make as a landlord. A solid process helps reduce turnover, prevent payment issues, and create a better experience for everyone involved.
And if you'd rather not manage it all yourself, KRS Property Management can help. We're based in Arlington and serve all of Northern Virginia.