Your fee does have to be no worse than whatever the surrounding landlords are charging, or you won't get applicants.Lastly, there are now a number of third-party employment verification services (like The Work Number) that charge from $18 and up to give you the verification of an applicant's employment and income.

Why not get a tenant that meets all the other criteria and wants the place and use the credit check as verification only?

You'll find that most of the Internet armchair attorneys quietly go away when asked for verification in writing.

Myself, I implemented a similar procedure, but we also afford people the option of supply an alternative verification of income and credit score.

.- My first priority to to purchase a home for myself in the smoky mountains.

I would also dig up whatever written verification of them not enforcing the rule. 

You have to to tinker with it to find your Goldilocks pricing. 

I just got another verification request, even after adding @biggerpockets.com to my whitelist.

Some people want to buy a property already leased and properly managed while some want to be able to select their own tenantIf you self manage it that is probably going to to be a knock because if it’s pricey property they will want it managed and have to find someone then vet the tenant etc

To be safe, I take driving license and verification ahead of showing time to ensure potential tenants are legit. - pros: Cheapest. one-time investment into tech- cons:  unsafe if potential tenants turn out to be a pain2.