Collect everything upfront. Chasing documents later signals weakness and wastes time.
The biggest time-waster in screening is going back to applicants for information you should have collected initially. Every follow-up adds days, gives applicants time to fabricate documents, and signals your process isn't tight. A comprehensive application that collects everything in one shot shows you're serious and gives you the complete data set needed for a quick decision.
Personal identification: Full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, government-issued photo ID number, and current contact information. The SSN is necessary for credit and background checks and requires written authorization.
Residential history: Current and previous addresses for 3-5 years, including landlord names and contact info for each rental, monthly rent amounts, and dates of tenancy. This fuels your reference calls and reveals housing history gaps.
Employment and income: Current employer name, address, phone, position title, start date, and gross monthly income. Request at least 2 months of pay stubs and the most recent tax return as supporting documentation.
Financial obligations: Monthly debt payments including car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, and child support. This lets you calculate true affordability rather than relying on gross income alone.
Collect these with the application, not after. Recent pay stubs covering 2-3 months. Most recent tax return or W-2. Bank statements for 2 months. Copy of photo ID. Proof of additional income sources. Qualified applicants provide documentation without complaint. Those who resist are telling you something.
Once collected, work through it systematically. Check for red flags, avoid common mistakes, and decide using a structured process. For tools that streamline collection, explore screening resources.
Charge $30-$50 to cover screening costs. Many states regulate fees, so check your local rules. The fee filters out unserious applicants. Someone who balks at $40 may struggle with $1,200 monthly rent.