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A bad tenant costs landlords an average of $3,500–$10,000. A thorough background check pays for itself many times over. Here are the best tenant screening services evaluated for landlords.
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.
Cost: $55 paid by the tenant on the free plan, or $45 on eligible paid plans — the landlord pays nothing in either case. 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 direct cost, and tenants who are serious about the property won't hesitate to pay.
Screen with TurboTenant →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 →Cost: Screening is available on the Grow plan ($29.95/mo monthly, or $12/mo billed annually). Applicants pay a $39.99–$49.99 screening fee directly. Full credit, criminal, and eviction reports via TransUnion.
Best for: Landlords already using RentRedi who want everything in one mobile-first platform.
Try RentRedi →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.
For most landlords, TurboTenant's screening is the clear winner. You get a comprehensive TransUnion report delivered in minutes — and the tenant pays the screening fee (currently $55 on the free plan or $45 on eligible paid plans), not you.
Start Screening with TurboTenant →