Tenant screening for monthly rentals lets you review a prospective tenant's credit, criminal background, and eviction history before you commit. On Furnished Finder, you send a request from a message or your Landlord Tools. The tenant pays the $44.99 fee, and most results arrive within a few hours.
The conversation went well. Your prospective tenant was friendly, the dates work, and they seem easy to host. You still don't know how they've handled rent before, and you're the one handing over the keys.
That gap is why tenant screening for monthly rentals is worth doing. It turns a good feeling about someone into facts you can act on, and on Furnished Finder it starts from the same message thread where you're already talking to the tenant.
Why screen a tenant who seems like a safe bet?
Some tenants arrive pre-qualified through an employer or staffing agency, and that can help. It doesn't always give you the full picture, though, like credit history, criminal background, or eviction history. Others come with no vetting at all.
Monthly rentals put someone in your home for a month or more, not a weekend. That's a bigger handoff, and it deserves more than a good first impression. Screening gives you the same set of facts for every applicant before you say yes, so you know who you're hosting before they arrive.
What a tenant screening tells you
A Furnished Finder screening, run through TransUnion, covers the basics that matter most:
Credit history.
A soft credit check that does not affect the tenant's credit score.
Criminal background.
Any records that turn up in a background check.
Eviction history.
Whether the tenant has been evicted before.
Resident Score.
One number, from 350 to 850, that sums up credit habits tied to paying rent on time.
You don't need to be an expert to read it. The Resident Score gives you a quick read to weigh alongside everything else you know about the tenant.
Why tenant screening matters for monthly rentals
You decide with facts.
You set your rules and you decide who stays. Screening gives you real information to decide with, not just a message thread and a hunch.
You protect your income.
A tenant who pays reliably keeps your calendar full and your income steady. Screening helps you spot the ones who may not.
You protect your home.
Knowing more about a tenant before move-in means fewer surprises after.
It doesn't cost you money.
By default, the tenant pays the $44.99 fee. Your cost is a few minutes.
It doesn't slow you down.
Most results are ready within a few hours, so a good tenant isn't left waiting.
It sets a professional tone.
A clear, consistent process shows tenants from the first message that you run your rental like the business it is.
It's easy on the tenant.
The credit check is soft, so tenants don't have to worry about their score.
How to get started
Open your conversation with the tenant in Messages (opens in new tab), or go to Tenant Screening (opens in new tab) under Landlord Tools.
Send the screening request. The first time, you'll verify your contact information.
The tenant completes and pays for the screening. You'll get an email when results are ready, and you can review them in your Dashboard.
Reports stay available for 30 days, so review yours soon after it arrives.
Screening works best when it's consistent
Screening gives you information. It doesn't make the decision for you. Weigh the results alongside your other rental criteria, and hold every applicant to the same standard. That's fair to tenants, and it keeps your process simple. The help center's Fair & Consistent Screening Practices (opens in new tab) article is a good place to start.
Tenant screening FAQ
How much does tenant screening cost on Furnished Finder?
A screening costs $44.99. The tenant pays it when they complete the screening.
Does tenant screening hurt a tenant's credit?
No. The credit check is a soft check, so it does not affect the tenant's credit score.
How long does a tenant screening take?
Most results are ready within a few hours. In rare cases, it can take up to five business days.
What if a tenant doesn't have a Social Security number?
Screening uses U.S. records, so tenants need a valid Social Security number. If a tenant doesn't have one, you can consider proof of employment, recent bank statements, or references from previous landlords or hosts. Learn more in the help center (opens in new tab).
Next steps
Ready to screen your next applicant? Open the conversation in Messages or head to Tenant Screening (opens in new tab) under Landlord Tools (opens in new tab), and send your first request.