How Application Completeness Affects Tenant Screening
Our Product is Information
When you hire Bemrose Consulting to conduct a screening, you are purchasing information. But to deliver our product to you, we require a basis from which to research. This includes:
Address history (including the current, even if it is not a rental)
Employer/source of income
Previous names or states the applicant has lived in
Answers to all yes/no questions (including explanations for any “yes” answers)
Such as: Do you have any criminal history?; Do you have any eviction history?; etc.
Phone number & email for the applicant if we have further questions
A More Complete Application = Better Value
Time
If we do not have enough information to obtain rental or employment details, we may have to reach out to you or the applicant for assistance. This results in delays for client, screener, and applicant with time that could have been better dedicated to obtaining references.
Applicants should also clearly indicate scenarios like being a first-time renter, a recent immigrant, or other life events where application details may be limited. This prevents unnecessary investigation into irrelevant data.
Money
If we are unable to verify any portion of the application, then we will still work to deliver the best information we can, but the final report may not provide the full monetary value our screening is capable of supplying.
The Effect on the Leasing Decision
The less complete the application, the more likely missing or misinterpreted information is to occur, which could result in a less informed leasing decision.
Additionally, while our screeners are proficient at uncovering information, it is still possible for applicants to hide negative history by not disclosing the details needed to conduct proper research. Conversely, if there is positive history we cannot uncover, applicants may be denied, have to pay an increased deposit, or find a co-signer when they would otherwise receive a full approval.
A valid contact for the applicant is especially important to ensure applicants can be reached directly for any clarification needed, giving them a fairer chance at consideration.
What You Can Do to Receive the Best Product Possible
Don’t Accept Them— You Deserve the Best!
To ensure you receive the quality tenants our service helps identify, be willing to refuse applications with significant data missing. It is better to turn down incomplete applications prior to the screening than to later discover applicants are unwilling to provide necessary information.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us at 503-419-6539 or customerservice@bemroseconsulting.com. Thank you for the opportunity to partner together!
DISCLAIMER: READ CAREFULLY: The information provided in this article is not considered legal advice and is given only for information purposes. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR LEGAL COUNSEL.