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Guide Updated March 2026 · 9 min read

Best Tenant Screening Services
for Landlords 2026

A bad tenant costs landlords an average of $3,500–$10,000. A $45 background check pays for itself a hundred times over. Here are the best screening services we've tested.

Every service below runs credit checks, criminal history, and eviction records. What separates them is price, who pays, speed, and how accurate the reports are.

#1

TurboTenant Screening

Tenant Pays
★★★★★ Best value · via TransUnion

Cost: $45 paid by the tenant — landlord pays nothing. Includes full credit report, criminal background check, and eviction history via TransUnion. Reports arrive within minutes.

Why it's #1: The tenant-pays model is a significant advantage for landlords. You get a comprehensive report at zero cost, and tenants who are serious about the property won't hesitate to pay.

Screen with TurboTenant →
#2

Avail Screening

★★★★ Flexible pricing · TransUnion

Cost: $30 (credit only) or $55 (full report). Either tenant or landlord can pay — your choice. Includes income verification on the full report.

Best for: Landlords who want flexibility in who pays and want income verification included.

Screen with Avail →
#3

RentRedi Screening

★★★★ via TransUnion

Cost: Included with the RentRedi subscription ($19.95/mo). Applicants pay a $40 screening fee directly. Full credit, criminal, and eviction reports.

Best for: Landlords already using RentRedi who want everything in one mobile-first platform.

Try RentRedi →
#4

MyRental (CoreLogic)

★★★★ via CoreLogic

Cost: $19.99–$34.99 per report, paid by landlord. Uses CoreLogic's extensive nationwide eviction database — one of the most comprehensive available.

Best for: Landlords who want the most thorough eviction history database without a platform subscription.

Visit MyRental →

⚖️ Legal Note

Always get written consent from the applicant before running a background or credit check. Fair Housing laws apply to tenant screening — never use screening results to discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.

Our Recommendation

For most landlords, TurboTenant's screening is the clear winner. You get a comprehensive TransUnion report delivered in minutes — and the tenant pays the $45 fee, not you.

Start Screening with TurboTenant →

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