When you're screening tenants, background check companies help you pull together credit reports, criminal records, and eviction history. Behind most applications is someone looking for a place to call home, and background checks help you understand their financial situation, rental history, and whether there are any past challenges that might need extra consideration. These screening decisions carry real weight—you're determining whether someone gets access to housing.

"Background checks should help property managers find qualified renters while giving every applicant a fair chance at housing. That's why accuracy in how we gather and verify information matters so much," says Hailey Hollins, Onboarding Lead at Findigs.

Background check companies vary in their approaches. Some provide raw data from quick database searches, while others verify records are current by checking courthouse records directly when needed. When you're sorting through information for many applicants at once, platforms that help synthesize the findings and provide decision guidance can be more helpful than those that leave you to piece everything together.

We've put together a high-level overview of how each major background check company works so you can see which approach fits your screening needs.

Understanding background check data sources

When you're setting up tenant screening, figuring out what information you actually need, and where it comes from, can feel overwhelming. Background check data itself comes from various government and institutional sources, but then screening platforms access, compile, and present that data in different ways.

Information from applicants

The screening process starts with what applicants tell you about themselves: their employment history, previous addresses, and personal details. Background check companies use this information as a starting point, then verify it against public records like DMV databases, credit headers, and other sources. This is where identity verification becomes important, since a small portion of applicants may provide false information or use stolen identities.

Credit information

The three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—collect and store consumer credit data. They don't keep eviction or criminal records in credit reports, though you might see related collections show up. Credit reports show payment patterns, current debts, bankruptcies, and how someone manages credit over time. It's valuable information, but it's just one part of understanding an applicant.

Criminal records

Criminal information starts with public court records from county, state, and federal courts. National databases pull together records from multiple jurisdictions, including sex offender registries. But here's where it gets tricky: not all courts feed into these big databases, and some records might be outdated or missing important details. 

Eviction records

Eviction records come from housing court filings, which are public records in most places. Companies like LexisNexis, TransUnion, and specialized aggregators gather these records from courts across the country and organize them into databases that background check companies can search.

How companies access this data

Companies use different methods to gather information. Some conduct direct county searches while others rely on national database searches. Data brokers collect public records and maintain proprietary databases, then screening companies may present this information through risk scores and recommendations. All screening must comply with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements.

Findigs: 360-degree tenant verification 

Findigs handles the complete tenant screening process by applying your preset screening rules consistently to every application and delivering approval or denial recommendation based on the findings. Our platform combines identity verification, income verification, and background checks in one system to give you a full view of each applicant.

Consistent application of your screening criteria

Property managers may have rules like "no evictions" or "650+ credit score," but often this can leave room because of a lack of detailed specificity or ever changing compliance.What if an eviction was dismissed? How do you handle criminal records from 15 years ago versus recent ones? How does this change across properties in multiple states? 

Different jurisdictions also have varying laws about what records can be used for screening—some states limit eviction lookback periods or require individualized assessments for criminal history. 

“When you look at how most property managers are arriving at the fundamental rules which are going to decide which Americans get housing, it's a few people and you sit in the room and you go, ‘That kind of sounds right. Okay, let's run with that," explains Steve Carroll, CEO of Findigs. "These conversations have just never been informed by data."

If your rulesets aren’t specific enough, we’ll work with you upfront to define specific criteria that cover every scenario and stay compliant with local regulations, then apply those rules consistently to every application. This eliminates the guesswork and bias that happens when different team members make judgment calls. When individualized assessments are required by local law, we flag these cases for our specialists to review.

Multiple layers of verification

Many background check companies pull from big databases and call it a day, even if that information might be outdated or incomplete. We take a different approach. When we need to be sure about something—like whether a criminal record was actually expunged or an eviction case got dismissed—we check the most updated public records, including courthouse records when available, to verify what's current and accurate.

"I think there's a lot of screeners that just don't have access to as much data or data that is up-to-date,” says Hollins. “So a lot of times they'll bring back records that should have been expunged or they have been suppressed or they have changed and the disposition isn't the same anymore. But nobody's doing that extra step to say, ‘What's the current status?’ And so then people are making decisions on inaccurate information, which then, you know, you're keeping people from accessing housing."

We work with TransUnion for eviction screening through their partnership with Asurint Residential Screening Services. Through Asurint's connection with CIC, we can access housing court records from across the country—unlawful detainers, monetary judgments, court-ordered possession—with proper record matching and filtering that meets quality standards.

Why do we go through all this extra work? Because accuracy really matters when someone's housing is on the line. No one should be denied a home based on outdated information that doesn't reflect their actual situation.

Connected information for better decisions

We look for connections between different pieces of information—like matching names across documents—that might be missed when screening is scattered across different systems. For example, if there's an SSN mismatch warning on a credit report, we can cross-check that against the ID verification to determine whether it's a credit bureau error or a potential fraud signal.

Helpful decision guidance 

Most background check companies give you reports to review—credit scores, criminal records, employment verification—and your team has to sort through all that information to make decisions. We do the work upfront to establish your rules, then apply them automatically to every application. This takes the entire review process off your plate, so your team can focus on attracting prospects, showing properties, and closing leases.

TransUnion SmartMove

SmartMove provides credit reports directly from TransUnion with their proprietary ResidentScore, plus national criminal background checks covering millions of records and eviction history searches. The platform uses a tenant-driven approach where renters "push" their credit report to landlords, protecting personal data while allowing credit review.

SmartMove offers three packages, with basic plans covering credit scores and background checks, while premium options add full credit reports and income insights. Landlords can pay fees themselves or pass costs to applicants. The platform targets small-scale owners and independent landlords who need quick, affordable screening without subscription requirements.

RentSpree

RentSpree offers bundled screening packages including credit reports, national criminal background checks, and eviction history searches, all powered by TransUnion data. Notable for its reusable application feature and integration with real estate platforms, RentSpree targets agents, landlords, and small-to-mid property managers. The service includes MLS integration and automated invites, making it popular among brokers and agent associations.

First Advantage

First Advantage provides enterprise-grade screening with several specialized features. Their RightID system handles identity verification through mobile ID selfie matching, while SkipWatch focuses on fraud detection by flagging falsified documents or impersonation attempts. The platform also includes analytics tools called Insight Advantage and flexible reporting options.

One notable feature is their tenant collections function, which can pull multi-bureau credit reports and perform landlord and utility reference checks. First Advantage maintains its own database of criminal records and eviction filings that goes beyond what credit agencies typically provide, and they offer detailed operational reporting.

The service targets large property management firms and enterprises that need comprehensive screening capabilities. 

TurboTenant

TurboTenant provides screening packages covering credit, criminal, and eviction checks using TransUnion data and other databases. Applicants receive a TransUnion credit report with score plus comprehensive background checks including national criminal records, sex offender searches, and eviction history. Income verification is available as an optional feature.

The service targets self-managing landlords and small property owners who want simple, integrated screening. TurboTenant combines property listings, applications, and screening in one platform, making it popular with independent landlords managing smaller portfolios. The platform is free for landlords, with applicants paying screening fees.

TurboTenant emphasizes speed and ease of use: applicants can complete screening quickly without advance signup. However, the platform provides raw reports rather than decision recommendations, so landlords interpret results themselves. With over 700,000 users, it serves smaller-scale property owners seeking straightforward screening.

TenantCloud

TenantCloud offers tiered screening through partnerships with TransUnion and Asurint with three packages: Background Check (criminal records, sex offender registry, OFAC searches), Credit Check (full credit report with history and bankruptcies), and Full Check (combines background, credit, and eviction records). Optional add-ons include county criminal searches and income verification.

The platform integrates screening directly into its property management suite, making it popular with DIY landlords and small managers who want an all-in-one solution. Unique features include identity verification steps and the ability to run checks without formal rental applications. Landlords can choose whether they or applicants pay the fees.

TenantCloud delivers screening reports directly into landlord dashboards, with all core screening functions accessible from one interface. The service targets independent landlords and smaller property management firms who use TenantCloud's broader software suite, offering both free and paid plans with screening available as an add-on feature.

E-Renter

E-Renter offers two screening packages for individual landlords: Basic (includes SSN validation, OFAC/Patriot Act searches, national criminal records, eviction records, bankruptcies, and sex offender searches) and Ultimate (adds credit verification, name/address history, and "Rent Check Advisor" for banking red flags).

The service is designed specifically for individual landlords who want simplicity and minimal complexity. E-Renter's credit check doesn't show full reports. Instead, it tells you whether applicants meet your preset minimum criteria, which is intended to speed up decisions. The platform emphasizes being fast and easy with instant results and no signup required.

E-Renter uses data from Equifax, Experian, and national public record databases. Criminal and eviction information comes from nationwide databases, while identity verification uses Social Security Administration databases. The service targets DIY landlords and small-scale property owners rather than professional property management companies, offering a straightforward pay-as-you-go approach without subscription requirements.

SafeRent (CoreLogic)

SafeRent delivers proprietary scoring rather than individual raw checks, providing a "SafeRent Score" that predicts likelihood of rent default or lease violations. The platform analyzes credit files, eviction records, and rental payment history using CoreLogic's rental housing data networks combined with standard credit bureau files.

The platform offers CrimSAFE for automated criminal record evaluation based on landlord-defined criteria. SafeRent abstracts away raw data through its algorithmic approach, though landlords can request underlying data on dispute. The service targets large-scale rental operations, professional property managers, and real estate brokerages through enterprise contracts rather than per-report pricing.

Equifax

Equifax provides comprehensive resident screening including multi-bureau credit reports with FICO scores, criminal background searches, sex-offender checks, and eviction record searches. The platform pulls credit from all three major bureaus, runs InstaCriminal searches, and offers direct income/employment verification and landlord/rental history calls.

Reports are highly customizable with no volume minimums, allowing landlords to select specific checks for each applicant. The TotalVerify portal provides integrated ordering and multi-property oversight. Equifax targets medium to large property management firms and integrates with industry software like Yardi and AppFolio through enterprise-level contracts.

While Equifax provides comprehensive data collection, you'll still need to review and interpret multiple reports to make decisions. The platform gives you the information but leaves the evaluation and decision-making process to your team.

How to choose the right background check solution

Selecting the right screening provider depends on several factors specific to your operation and goals.

Portfolio size and needs assessment

Smaller landlord operations often benefit from simple, cost-effective solutions where tenants pay the screening fees. As you grow into mid-size operations, you'll need platforms that can integrate with your existing systems and help you maintain consistent screening standards across all your properties.

Large property management companies need a system that can handle high application volumes while maintaining accuracy. It should provide detailed analytics on things like approval rates, time to decision, and which screening criteria are helping you lower your vacancies and delinquencies. At this scale, meticulous standardization is crucial to avoid fair housing risks.

Integration requirements

Evaluate how screening data flows into your existing systems. If you use property management software, look for screening providers that integrate directly rather than requiring manual data entry.

Compliance features and fair housing considerations

You'll want to work with providers who stay on top of FCRA requirements and can help you handle fair housing laws properly. This means they apply your criteria the same way to every applicant, know how to handle adverse action notices (the notifications you must send when you decline someone based on their background check), and can flag cases where local laws require individualized assessments.

Selecting a background check partner for your needs

We've put together this overview of background check companies to help you weigh your options and get started with your research. We’ve only covered each platform at a high level, so you'll want to dig deeper into the ones that seem like good fits for your needs.

The right screening approach helps you identify qualified renters who will succeed in your properties while creating opportunities for people who need housing. Background checks work best when they're part of a thoughtful process that considers the whole person, not just isolated data points.

Whether you want to review reports yourself or prefer comprehensive verification that takes the review work off your plate, understanding how these platforms operate gives you a foundation for choosing what works best for your properties and the people you serve.

At Findigs, we believe in making the rental process work better for everyone. Our approach takes the screening work off your plate by applying your criteria consistently to every application. With routine screening out of the way, your team can focus on creating communities where people love to live.

Ready to see how comprehensive tenant screening can work for your properties? Book a demo with Findigs to learn more about our approach to tenant verification.

‍