Beginner learning to screen potential tenants -- Help !

[Aiden Harris]

Happy fourth all,

So, I have begun the journey of finding new tenants. My current ones are buying a house and I could not be happier for them.

I am using Cozy for the submission of screening (credit & background). 

I had a couple (stated they were engaged) apply this morning, one's credit score is 646 and the other's is 711. The 646 appears to be due to no credit history. The 711 has one incident of collections roughly 3 years ago ($1600 in collections). They applied to me because I specifically mention I am a pet friendly landlord (which I am). I have a big game dog myself, so I am very comfortable with animals as long as I am protected from liability.

As a first time landlord, how do I proceed from here? They are moving to my city from another city where (based on some snooping) they appear to have decent middle class jobs. I have not verified income or anything outside of the credit/background check. Is there a compensating balance for the credit score of one of the applicants, or should I weight them together? I am looking for feedback so I do not make a simple misstep.

Thanks so much!