Do potential tenants balk at screening costs?

[Andy W.]

I'm preparing to show an apartment to several potential tenants tonight and I'd like to run credit/background checks on anyone who applies.

From the services I've explored, it seems your average suite of reports comes in around $35 per adult ($70 per couple). Do tenants ever have a WTF moment when they begin the application process and encounter these fees?

Obviously I have to run the reports, so it's non-negotiable, but curious what feedback you've encountered.

[David M.]

I collect applications with a disclaimer that I select the best candidate based on the applications, then collect their app fee before running the checks. If everything on the application is truthful, I accept the tenant, sign a lease, and apply the application fee to their deposit. If anything in the application was misleading, I keep the fee, tell them why they've been denied, and move on to the next applicant.