Tenant Screening Services - Best Software

[Angeline Mentor]

Hi all,

I am interviewing tenants and would like to do a background check on them. Can you provide what service you are using for this. Also, if anyone has a great landlord/tenant lease for the state of NJ. Please share. 

Thank you in advance for your assistance. 

[Matt R.]

Disclaimer: I only have one property so far. I am not affiliated with any sites mentioned.

I use Cozy.co for background checks and collecting rent. I don't use the other features they offer (application, maintenance requests, document sharing, listing syndication). I wrote a detailed post about it here:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

I am not in NJ, so I can't help with a lease.  Sometimes a local landlords' association or real estate investors' association will have a lease you can use, if you are a member.

[Michael Lee]

I'm actually using a property management software to manage my rental property and the app is Tellus. They partner with Naborly and they have a free screening service. I've used their reports to choose my tenant and the report is comprehensive and thorough. 

[Anthony Wick]

@Angeline Mentor

MySmartMove for credit, nationwide eviction, and criminal history. I like that the applicant pays them directly so I don’t handle any money. I also do free prescreening of verifying employment, calling prior landlords, and open source internet of social media and state/county criminal court systems.

[Kyle McCann]

Angeline,

Here is a link to the NJ Realtors standard residential lease:  http://www.shorehomes.com/images/form%20125%20-%20residential%20lease%20-%20pdf.pdf

Cheers!

[David Michael]

@Angeline Mentor

If your working with an agent. They have a service that charges 25$.

If not and your in this for the long game I’m a hugeeee advocate for getting your license.

BiggerPockets has discounts I believe for screening websites.

[Angeline Mentor]

Wow! I love Bigger Pockets. You guys are tremendous. Someone is always "Paying it Forward"  Thanks for the feedback and responses. 

[Leo Grinberg]

Originally posted by @Mike Franco:

Originally posted by @Jason Zimmer:

I use https://www.myrental.com

They are actually offering 15% off of your first screening when you use the code NEWUSER. They have 3 packages ranging from $20-$35, but they all at least include background checks and previous address history. I usually go with the Premium package because it also offers credit reports and a "tenant score" which ranks a candidate on their likeliness to default on a lease. 

 there are better coupons online. CAA20 takes off 20%

However, with naborly being free, why use paid services at all?

I tried the Tellus app on android, and it's buggy as hell. I stopped using it immediately

I always wonder how a company who give their services for free makes money. Do you know how naborly does it? I'm not sure if I want to create a liability for myself by putting my potential tenants in security risk. I know that some other screening services sites will bill prospective tenants directly so I don't even have to collect fees for it.