Screening tenants - The most important decision

[Nica Ferrante]

Hello BP people,

As I'm working to put together my process for tenants selection there are a couple of questions I would like to have your feedback:

1. If you have a couple as potential tenants, do you make both of them to complete the application? If yes, why?
2. I'm thinking to charge an application fee, should I do this as soon as I receive the application form or once I have review that the potential tenant meets the minimum requirements? 

3. According to the NOLO Landlord's Legal Guide, there are 6 important checks to be performed on a potential tenants. Do you do all of them? Some of them? Which one would you recommend or not recommend? 

• Check references
• Verify income and employment 
• Obtain credit report 
• Verify bank account information
• Review court records  
• Megan's law state database check

Thank you so much for your help!

Nica