When do you request credit/background check?

[Arthur Banks]

When applicants are applying do you require they complete the application first and after you review and wish to proceed, you then request approval to request the credit/background/criminal check? Or do you have the applicant apply and request the credit/background checks at the same time?

I ask because I'm trying to decide between using two different credit check companies. One charges $42 for all checks but has everything "in house" (ability to post online listings on social media sites, craigslist, etc. with an 'Apply Now' button, send e-application, screen request, digital lease, create and send additional documents (add'tl $15), collect rent). The other charges $35 for the checks, but would require doing all those things separately.

It's not a big deal to send the applicant the credit check authorization email separately. But if it's better to have the applicant apply and authorize the check at the same time then why not? I was just wondering about dealing with refunding if someone applied who didn't qualify (not having 3X rent or something).