What is the primary function of tenant screening?

The primary function of tenant screening is to assess creditworthiness and rental history. This process is crucial because it helps landlords and property managers identify suitable tenants who are likely to fulfill their lease obligations. By evaluating a potential tenant’s credit report, payment history, and previous rental experiences, property managers can gauge the risk associated with renting to that individual. A positive rental history indicates reliability in making timely rent payments, while good credit shows the tenant's ability to manage financial responsibilities.

Assessing creditworthiness and rental history can also protect landlords from potential evictions and property damage caused by irresponsible tenants. Although verifying income levels can be part of the screening process, it is not the primary focus; rather, it supports the overall assessment of a tenant's likelihood to pay rent consistently. Determining the rent amount and preparing lease agreements are also important, but these activities occur after selecting appropriate tenants based on the screening results. Therefore, the assessment of creditworthiness and rental history stands out as the core aspect of tenant screening.