Why Background Checks Are the #1 Priority for Landlords—Tenant Screening Survey Trends

Background checks have taken the top spot in tenant screening, according to a new joint survey from RentRedi and BiggerPockets. Nearly half of the landlords surveyed ranked background checks as the most important factor in evaluating a tenant—well ahead of credit scores or income verification. A separate survey by RentRedi reinforces this trend, showing that landlords go beyond basic financial checks to create a more complete picture of each applicant, often using software to make the process faster and more reliable.

From verifying employment and income to checking references and even reviewing social media profiles, today’s landlords are embracing a more layered approach to tenant screening. And with more than half using property management software to streamline these tasks, it’s clear that technology is reshaping how landlords reduce risk and choose the right renters. In this post, we’ll break down the survey findings—and explore how tools like RentRedi’s 5-pronged tenant screening process are helping landlords make smarter, more informed leasing decisions.

Key Takeaways from Tenant Screening Surveys

• A RentRedi survey found that landlords verify most of the important information they collect from potential tenants. Over 90% say they verify employment and income while around 80% said they verify references, credit score, and rental history. 6 in 10 landlords verify all of the information that tenants give to them. 
• According to a RentRedi-BiggerPockets survey, 40% of landlords surveyed said that background checks are the most important aspect of screening a tenant. Just under one-third of landlords felt that the opinion of their peers in the form of a landlord reference was the most important.  
• The vast majority (80%) of landlords asked about pets and over two-thirds asked if their tenants smoked prior to renting the apartments to them. 26% of all respondents noted that they ask about pets, smoking, drugs, and parties.

Check out the full report below!

Tenant Screening Trends Among U.S. Landlords

These findings show a clear trend: landlords are increasingly using property management software to screen applicants with greater precision and efficiency. RentRedi’s 5-pronged tenant screening process, which includes evaluating background checks, credit reports, criminal records, eviction history, and financial stability through income and asset verification, directly aligns with the priorities of landlords.

Survey Methodology

BiggerPockets surveyed 2,100 of its members between April 4–14, 2025, to understand landlord priorities in tenant screening. Separately, RentRedi conducted its own survey from March 30–April 14, 2025, collecting responses from nearly 700 landlords. Both surveys focused on independent landlords and real estate investors. Respondents were asked about their tenant screening practices, including verification methods, lifestyle considerations, and use of property management software. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number, and totals may not always equal 100%.