If you’re a landlord or property manager in New York, conducting a thorough landlord tenant check is crucial to ensure a smooth rental experience. Finding the right tenant screening tool is essential for evaluating potential tenants and reducing risks. With numerous options on the market, this guide compares the top tenant screening tools available in New York based on key criteria such as cost, comprehensiveness, ease of use, and data accuracy. Whether you’re screening tenants for a single property or managing multiple units, this guide will help you choose the best fit for your needs. Best Tenant Screening Tools Selecting the best tenant screening tools is essential for landlords and property managers to make informed decisions about potential tenants. Here are some of the best tenant screening tools 2023: 1. RentPrep: Comprehensive Tenant Screening Tool RentPrep is a comprehensive tenant screening tool that offers a range of services, including credit reports, criminal background checks, and eviction history reports. The tool is easy to use and provides accurate and up-to-date information. However, RentPrep’s services are relatively expensive compared to other options on the market.RentPrep offers tenant screening services with packages starting at $21.00. They also offer a SmartMove Full Credit Report for $38.00. You can add a criminal check for an extra $6.00 and a credit decision report for $11.00. When it comes to processing a New York rental application, RentPrep offers a thorough tenant screening service. Their credit reports, provided by Experian, include a credit score, payment history, and details on any collections or public records. The criminal report searches both national and state databases for any criminal history, ensuring landlords have access to important background information. Additionally, RentPrep’s eviction report helps identify any past evictions or landlord-tenant disputes. Their employment and income verification feature is particularly valuable for confirming that the tenant has a stable and reliable source of income. Pros and Cons of Comprehensive Tenant Screening Tool Pros: Cons: 2. MyRental: Affordable Tenant Screening Tool For background check landlords need, MyRental is a popular and reliable tenant screening tool. It offers a wide range of services, including credit checks, criminal background checks, and identity verification, all presented in comprehensive and accurate reports. MyRental is user-friendly and provides a cost-effective alternative to RentPrep, making it an excellent option for landlords on a budget. Tenant screening packages start at $24.99 per applicant for the Basic package, while the Premium package, which includes credit consent, is available for $34.99 per applicant. In comparison, RentPrep’s entry-level plan starts at $21.00 per applicant and includes a comprehensive rental background check that does not require tenant involvement. RentPrep also offers a TransUnion Full Credit Report for $40.00 per applicant which includes a full credit report, a ResidentScore, and a rental background check. Pros and Cons of MyRental: Affordable Tenant Screening Tool Pros: Cons: 3. SmartMove: Cost-Effective Tenant Screening Tool SmartMove is a tenant screening tool offered by TransUnion that provides credit reports, criminal background checks, and eviction history reports. The tool is user-friendly and provides accurate and up-to-date information. SmartMove’s pricing is comparable to MyRental, making it a cost-effective option for landlords. SmartMove is a tenant screening service 2023 offered by TransUnion that provides landlords with detailed background checks on potential renters. SmartMove’sscreening reports include information such as credit history, criminal history, and eviction records. Related Articles: How To Take Photos For Craigslist Rentals How To Advertise On Craigslist Effectively Security Deposits: Landlord considerations To use SmartMove, landlords create a free account on the SmartMove website and send a request for a background check to their potential tenant. Once the tenant approves the request, SmartMove verifies their identity, collects their consent, and shares crucial information with the landlord to help them make a more informed leasing decision. SmartMove’s screening reports include a credit report designed specifically for tenant screening that uses ResidentScore to predict rental eviction risk 15% better than traditional credit scores. The criminal report searches over 370 million criminal records from state and national databases to provide comprehensive information for landlords. The eviction report is one of the largest eviction databases subject to the FCRA with 16+ million eviction records, covering all 50 states plus Washington D.C. The Income Insights report helps landlords know which applicants need additional verification. Pros and Cons of SmartMove: Cost-Effective Tenant Screening Tool Pros: Cons: Here are some possible cons of SmartMove based on online reviews: 4. TenantAlert TenantAlert is a tenant screening tool with a focus on preventing fraud and verifying identities. It provides services like address confirmation, eviction history records, criminal background checks, and credit checks. Landlords may stay informed with TenantAlert’s real-time alerts and updates regarding any changes to a tenant’s credit or background information. Pros and Cons of TenantAlert screening tool Pros: Cons: Beyond the Ban on Tenant Screening in New York City: Considerations for Landlords In the aftermath of the NYC ban on tenant screening, landlords in the city are facing significant changes in how they select tenants. Traditional screening techniques might no longer be available, but there are still effective ways to obtain essential information from prospective tenants. Tenant screening companies have adjusted their services to comply with new regulations, offering landlords alternative methods to assess tenants while staying within legal boundaries. These companies can help you navigate the new landscape and ensure you’re making informed decisions without violating the tenant screening ban. Cozy Tenant Screening You can demand applicants to send their credit reports and background checks along with their applications if you’re utilizing Cozy. In this scenario, applicants cover the cost of screening and communicate their results to you through the Cozy portal. Credit History The characteristics Cozy searches for in a prospective tenant include: Background investigation Cozy collaborates with Checker to examine local and federal records for background checks. The screening is concentrated on issues pertaining to: The potential tenant will pay $39.99 for credit reports and background checks. Conclusion In conclusion, all three tenant screening tools provide solid options for landlords in New York. RentPrep offers flexible tenant screening packages starting at $21.00, including a RentPrep Background Check for $21.00 and a TransUnion Full