Choosing the right resident isn’t about filling a unit fast—it’s about bringing in someone who will respect the property, pay rent on time, and help keep the community stable. And credit checks? They tell more than you might think. But only if you know what you’re really looking at. A credit score by itself doesn’t give you the full picture. The details inside that credit report are where the real answers live.
Credit Score Isn’t Everything—Look Deeper
Yes, the credit score is the number everyone notices first. But a score of 700 means different things for different people. Two applicants could both have 700, and one might have a history of steady payments while the other got there after a bankruptcy and a string of missed payments two years ago. That’s why you can’t stop at the score.
Dig into the payment history. Are they regularly on time, or do you see a pattern of late payments every few months? Someone who always pays rent five days late isn’t just a number on paper—they’re the maintenance team waiting on work orders while trying to chase rent, or the office getting constant calls about payment plans.
Watch for the Red Flags That Don’t Jump Out Right Away
Collections are a big one. Not all collections are equal. Medical debt? Maybe not the biggest deal. But unpaid utility bills or previous apartment collections? That’s a whole different story. If they walked away from a power bill or left damage at another apartment without paying for it, that’s a loud warning bell.
Also, look for accounts that have been recently opened. An applicant with five new credit cards in the last three months might be struggling more than the report shows. High credit utilization—like using up nearly all available credit—can be another sign they’re stretched thin. Even if they’ve made payments on time, living too close to the edge financially can become a problem down the line.
Don’t Skip the Eviction Check
This one’s simple. Past evictions don’t guarantee future problems, but they’re something you should always know about. And make sure your screening includes this, because not all credit reports do. Some screening platforms let evictions slip through the cracks if they aren’t reported the right way. So whatever system you’re using, double-check that it flags these.
And here’s the thing—evictions can show up in different forms. Some residents may have left “voluntarily” under pressure or just before the eviction was finalized. So if you see any sudden breaks in housing history or landlords who are tough to reach for references, take a closer look.
Stability Speaks Louder Than a High Score
Consistency matters. Someone who’s held the same job for years and lived in one or two places long-term often makes a safer bet than someone with a slightly higher credit score who jumps jobs or addresses every few months. Look for steady employment, preferably full-time, and not just the income amount but how long they’ve been earning it.
A credit score doesn’t reflect job changes or housing moves. But the full report—and a solid rental application—should. Someone who’s been in the same job for five years and lived in the same apartment for three is telling you they’re not just stable, they’re likely responsible too.
Talk to Previous Landlords—But Ask the Right Questions
Many property managers skip landlord references because they feel like they’ll just get a canned response. And sometimes that’s true. But if you know what to ask, you’ll get more useful answers.
Instead of “Were they a good resident?” ask things like:
“Did they pay rent on time, every month?”
“Were there ever complaints about them from other residents?”
“Did they give proper notice when moving out?”
“Would you rent to them again, without hesitation?”
Those questions are harder to brush off with vague answers. And if the landlord hesitates or sounds unsure, it could be worth digging deeper. Sometimes tone tells you more than words.
Watch Out for Gaps That Don’t Make Sense
When you look over an application and the credit report, does everything line up? If there’s a year missing from the job history or they’ve lived at four addresses in two years but only mention two—something’s off.
These gaps don’t always mean there’s a problem. But they’re worth asking about. Did they move in with family? Were they between jobs for a while? If they can explain it, great. If they dodge the question, that tells you something too.
Don’t Overlook the Soft Signs of Financial Strain
Some signs aren’t obvious red flags, but they still tell a story. For example, if you see a lot of small-dollar credit accounts—like payday loans or store cards opened one after another—it might mean they’re relying on short-term credit to get by. Even if their score is okay, that pattern suggests they’re patching things together month by month.
Also, frequent changes in banking accounts or new personal loans every year can show someone who’s scrambling more than they want to admit. These details usually show up under the credit inquiries or account summaries.
Stay Consistent With Your Standards
One of the biggest mistakes property managers make is adjusting their credit standards based on how desperate they are to fill a unit. It’s tempting to approve someone who “almost” meets your criteria, especially if the unit has been sitting empty for a few weeks.
But it almost always backfires. If your standards say no unpaid collections or no evictions in the past five years, stick to that. Make exceptions too often, and suddenly your whole screening process is unreliable. Plus, it gets harder to explain to other residents why you approved someone who ended up being a problem.
Consistency keeps things fair. It also helps protect your property and your time in the long run.
Use Smart Screening Tools—Not Just Basic Credit Reports
If you’re still using old-school credit reports that make you dig through line after line yourself, you’re missing out. Today’s screening tools can flag patterns automatically, include eviction data, and even give a score based on rental history, not just credit card behavior.
Look for a system that gives you a clear decision framework. You still get the final say, but a good tool can highlight what matters and save you from sorting through pages of small print.
When in Doubt, Look for a Co-Signer or Higher Deposit
Sometimes, you come across someone who almost qualifies, and they’re upfront about why. Maybe their credit dipped because of one bad year, or they’re younger and don’t have much history yet. In cases like that, having a co-signer or collecting a slightly higher deposit might make sense—if your local rules allow it.
Just be sure it’s not your go-to solution. Only use this when everything else looks strong and the reason for the credit issue makes sense. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a risky lease.
Pest Issues Can Show Up in Backgrounds Too
This one’s less obvious but worth noting. Residents who leave behind damage or refuse to report pest issues (or even cause them) can sometimes show patterns. Maybe they have collections from past apartments that note damages or unpaid cleaning fees. Or maybe a landlord mentions a history of ignoring maintenance problems.
Bringing in the wrong resident doesn’t just affect the unit—they can bring in pest issues that spread across the building. At Pest Share, we’ve seen how one careless resident can cause major headaches for everyone else. That’s why background checks, when done right, are the first line of defense—not just against missed rent, but also against preventable problems like roaches, bed bugs, and more.
Good screening isn’t about being picky—it’s about being smart. You’re not just filling a space; you’re choosing someone who could be part of your apartment community for years. Dig beyond the surface. Pay attention to the patterns. And trust your gut when something doesn’t sit right.
With a strong process, solid tools, and the right support (yes, including pest protection), you’ll be in a much better spot to avoid surprises. Not just with rent, but with residents who help your property run smoother—day after day.
