Should You Screen Tenants Yourself or Use a Service?

What’s the Best Way to Handle Tenant Screening?

If you have ever rented out a property, you already know the truth. A good tenant makes life so much easier. They pay on time, take care of the place, and give you very little to worry about. A bad tenant, on the other hand, can bring problems you never expected and stress you never asked for. That is why screening tenants is such a big deal. It is not just about filling out forms or ticking boxes. It is about protecting your property, your income, and your peace of mind from day one.

Did you know that the way you screen a tenant can set the tone for the whole rental experience? On this blog, we are going to look at two main options. You can handle the screening yourself or you can use a professional service to do it for you. Both have their own pros and cons, and by the end, you will have a clearer idea of which one suits you best.

Screening Tenants Yourself

Some landlords prefer to do the screening on their own. It gives them more control and a chance to trust their instincts.

Doing it yourself means you will:

• Call past landlords to hear their feedback.
• Check with employers to confirm income.
• Review credit reports and payment history.
• Meet the tenant in person and ask your own questions.

The benefit is that you get to know every detail firsthand. You can read between the lines and get a sense of the person beyond the paperwork.

The challenge is that it takes time. You have to track down phone numbers, wait for people to call back, and sort through reports. You also need to be careful about what you ask and how you ask it so you stay within the law.

The Best of Both

You do not always have to choose one way or the other. In fact, many landlords find that a mix of both methods works best. You can use a screening service to take care of the formal checks like credit history, background reports, and rental records, which saves you time and gives you accurate information. Then you can add your own personal touch by meeting the tenant in person, asking a few questions, and calling some of their references yourself. This way you get the facts from the reports and also a real sense of who they are as a person. It is a simple approach that combines the reliability of professional screening with the insight you gain from your own interaction

Which Should You Choose?

Ask yourself:

✅ Do I have the time and patience to handle the process myself?
✅ Am I confident in spotting red flags and following legal guidelines?
✅ Do I value convenience and accuracy over saving a bit of money?

If you answered yes to the first two, DIY might be your thing. If the last two sound more like you, a screening service could be your best friend.

No matter which way you choose, the goal is always the same. You want a tenant who pays on time, treats your property with care, and is easy to communicate with. The best way to get there is to create a simple system you can follow every time, one that is fair, clear, and consistent. When your process is easy to manage, you are more likely to stick with it and get the results you want. Finding the right tenant should not feel like an uphill battle. With the right approach, you can protect your property, avoid unnecessary stress, and feel confident about your choice. At the end of the day, you are not just renting out a space, you are starting a working relationship that can make life better for both you and your tenant. And that peace of mind is worth every bit of effort you put into the screening process.

If you want renting out your property to feel easier, A-Line Realty is here to help. We will handle the tenant screening and all the little details so you can relax knowing your place is in good hands.