Finding the right tenant is paramount for any landlord or property manager. A reliable tenant ensures consistent rental income, minimizes property damage, and fosters a positive community within your rental property. The cornerstone of this process is thorough tenant screening. However, with numerous services available, how do you identify the best tenant screening service? This comprehensive guide will delve into the critical factors that define superior tenant screening and demonstrate why TenantTracks stands out as the optimal choice for discerning landlords.

What Constitutes the "Best" Tenant Screening Service?

The "best" tenant screening service isn't just about generating a report; it's about providing a holistic view of an applicant's suitability while ensuring accuracy, ease of use, comprehensive support, and fair pricing. Here are the key elements to consider:

1. Unwavering Data Accuracy from Multiple Sources:

The value of a tenant screening report hinges on the accuracy of the information it contains. Relying on a single data source can lead to incomplete or even misleading results. The best services aggregate data from a multitude of reputable sources, including:

• Major Credit Bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion provide crucial insights into an applicant's credit history, including credit scores, payment history, outstanding debts, and bankruptcies. This helps assess their financial responsibility. For example, a consistent history of on-time payments indicates a higher likelihood of timely rent payments.
• National Criminal Databases: These databases compile criminal records from various jurisdictions, helping to identify potential risks to your property and other tenants. A comprehensive search should cover national and state-level records. TenantTracks dives deeper into criminal records than most screening companies, providing information beyond the standard 7-year timeframe.
• Eviction History Databases: Reviewing an applicant's eviction history is critical in predicting their adherence to lease agreements. Access to nationwide eviction records is essential. TenantTracks’ reports include eviction records from all states that allow for such information to be used for screening including Connecticut which is not consistently available on RentSpree or SoftScreen, ensuring you have a complete picture of a tenant's rental history.
• Sex Offender Registries: Ensuring the safety of your property and its residents requires checking national and state sex offender registries.
• Proprietary Resident History Databases: Some services maintain their own databases of tenant performance, offering insights beyond publicly available records.
• Income and Employment Verification: Confirming an applicant's stated income and employment stability is vital for assessing their ability to afford the rent. The best services may offer bank-verified income data for enhanced accuracy.

TenantTracks Advantage: Unlike competitors relying on single data sources, TenantTracks prioritizes superior data accuracy by drawing information from an extensive network, including comprehensive national and state criminal databases and a robust eviction history database. This commitment to thoroughness means TenantTracks goes beyond standard checks with an extensive criminal history search, provides complete eviction records from all eligible states (including Connecticut, often missed by others), and even features innovative alias name eviction matches in New England (ie. if someone gets divorced and changes their name, TenantTracks will still catch previous evictions), ensuring a far more complete and secure understanding of your applicant's background. We also offer a free, exclusive landlord-provided database of tenant payment history, so if you’ve ever had a tenant pay late, miss payments, receive cash for keys instead of evictions, etc, you can report these negative actions to TenantTracks and they’ll show up on all future reports.

2. Effortless Ease of Use:

A cumbersome and complicated tenant screening process can be a significant burden for busy landlords. The best services offer intuitive platforms that streamline every step, from sending screening requests to reviewing reports. Key aspects of user-friendliness include:

• Simple Application Process: The ability to easily invite applicants via email or text to complete their information online.
• Clear and Understandable Reports: Screening reports should be well-organized and easy to interpret, highlighting key findings and potential red flags. TenantTracks has extremely easy-to-understand reports and goes as far as color-coding results to make your decision even easier.
• Mobile Accessibility: Landlords should be able to initiate screenings and review reports on the go via mobile apps or responsive websites.
• Fast Turnaround Times: Prompt delivery of screening reports allows for quicker decision-making and reduces vacancy periods. Many services aim for results within minutes to an hour. If you’re using TenantTrack’s Opt-10 account, you enter a prospect’s social security number and will have a completed report in 30 seconds. If you use their Open Access account, reports will run instantly once the tenant inputs their own information.

TenantTracks Advantage: TenantTracks boasts a user-friendly interface designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. You can easily send screening requests, and applicants can complete their information quickly and securely online. Our reports are formatted for clarity, making it easy to identify crucial information at a glance. TenantTracks is also fully mobile-responsive, allowing you to manage your screenings from anywhere.

3. Reliable Local Support and a Trustworthy Company:

When issues arise or you have questions, access to responsive and knowledgeable customer support is invaluable. Dealing with a reputable company that understands the nuances of tenant screening and local regulations provides peace of mind. Consider the following:

• Availability of Support Channels: Multiple support options, such as phone, email, and live chat, ensure you can get help when you need it.
• Responsiveness and Expertise: Support teams (ideally local to your area) should be readily available and equipped to answer your questions accurately and efficiently.
• Understanding of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair Housing Laws: The screening company should demonstrate a strong understanding of local legal compliance to protect both themselves and their users.
• Company Reputation and Longevity: A long-standing company with a positive reputation in the industry is generally a more reliable partner.
• Local Presence and Understanding: A company with local support can be particularly beneficial as they may have a better understanding of regional regulations and nuances. For example, many tenant screening companies fail to provide a report receipt upon request in the state of Connecticut, though this was recently passed as a new law. TenantTracks ensures compliance and adheres to all local and national requirements.

TenantTracks Advantage: TenantTracks is committed to providing exceptional customer support. As a family-run business based in Waterbury, Connecticut, TenantTracks understands the local New England landscape and is invested in serving our community of landlords, including providing unique benefits like alias name eviction matches in New England and comprehensive eviction data for states like Connecticut. Our dedicated support team is readily available via phone and email to assist you with any questions or concerns. We are deeply knowledgeable about the FCRA and Fair Housing laws, ensuring that our platform and processes are fully compliant. 

4. Transparent and Competitive Pricing:

Tenant screening costs can vary significantly. The best services offer transparent pricing structures without hidden fees. Consider the following pricing models:

• Tenant-Paid vs. Landlord-Paid: Some services allow the applicant to pay the screening fee directly, while others require the landlord to cover the cost. TenantTracks allows either option - the property owner can pay or you can easily pass the cost on to the tenant. 
• Package Deals vs. A La Carte Options: Different packages may include varying levels of screening services at different price points. A la carte options allow you to customize your screenings based on your specific needs. In most cases, TenantTracks doesn’t believe in this model. We give you all the data we have with ANY report run, so you can make an educated and confident leasing decision. 
• Subscription Models: Some services offer monthly subscriptions with bundled screenings or discounted rates for frequent users. If you run more than 10 reports a year, we recommend using the TenantTrack’s Opt-10 Account for a discounted rate per report. This plan does have an annual compliance fee of $35 but it’s waived upon renewal if you run 50 reports/year. If you run fewer reports, you have our convenient Open Access option, which is free to create an account and has no additional fees. 
• Volume Discounts: If you manage multiple properties, inquire about potential volume discounts.
• Transparency of Fees: Ensure the pricing is clear and upfront, with no unexpected charges.

TenantTracks Advantage: TenantTracks offers flexible and transparent pricing options to suit your needs. You can choose to have the tenant pay the screening fee, or you can opt to cover the cost yourself. We offer two platforms, Opt-10 and Open Access, both at competitive prices, ensuring you receive the most accurate tenant data possible. Our pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees.

Why TenantTracks is Your Superior Choice

TenantTracks excels in all the critical areas that define the best tenant screening service:

• Superior Data Accuracy: Our multi-source data aggregation ensures you receive the most comprehensive and reliable information available, empowering you to make informed decisions.
• Unmatched Ease of Use: Our intuitive platform simplifies the screening process, saving you time and effort.
• Dedicated Local Support: Our responsive and knowledgeable CT-based support team is here to assist you every step of the way.
• Competitive and Transparent Pricing: We offer flexible and affordable pricing options to meet your specific needs.

Bonus: Partnering with TenantTracks Strengthens Property Rights

At TenantTracks, our commitment extends beyond providing exceptional tenant screening; we are dedicated advocates for property owners' rights. Every report run with TenantTracks directly supports our ongoing efforts to champion property rights. Our team actively fights for your rights at the Connecticut Capitol, leveraging our expertise and resources to successfully oppose detrimental legislation that would have negatively impacted landlords. By choosing TenantTracks, you're not only making a sound business decision but also contributing to a stronger, more equitable environment for property owners nationwide.

Conclusion

Choosing the best tenant screening service is a critical decision that can significantly impact your success as a landlord. By prioritizing accuracy, ease of use, reliable support, and fair pricing, you can find a partner that helps you secure the best tenants for your properties. TenantTracks is dedicated to providing a superior tenant screening experience, empowering you with the information and support you need while advocating for the fundamental rights of property owners. Make the smart choice – choose TenantTracks and find your ideal tenants with confidence.