I’m a first time landlord, can you recommend a cheap tenant screening company?

First off I need to say that I have never used one. I really can’t offer a recommendation, however I can provide you with the following.

 When looking for a tenant screening service you really need to pick a trustworthy one, because if you think about it you are handing over sensitive information about your future tenant, if that info is abused (sold to scammers) it could leave your company responsible for misuse of that information. Kind of ironic isn’t that trying to verify a tenant can have the opposite effect.

Check with the BBB and the local NARPM organization or the local apartment association.

Some screening companies charge $10 or less for a credit report. And if you are in the state of Colorado you can go online to COCourts at next to nothing. From their site it appears to be $6 per search.

The turn around time for most services are about 20 to 30 minutes.

Also, screening services offer different types of services – you can have credit reports, eviction reports, criminal reports, employment verification, rental verification, calling of references, and others. Some of this must be sent to the agency directly or it can be pulled from your computer dependent on the services you want/need and those offered.

Many screening companies though require to be shown that you have a reason for requesting the information so be prepared to show a copy of the deed and an application. They are resellers and must ensure that the reports are being used for the justifiable purposes.