Prices checked on October 15, 2026 Prices change. Confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
Before you hand over keys, collect an application, verify identity and income, and run credit, criminal and eviction checks. On the platforms we checked, screening is usually paid by the applicant: TurboTenant $45, RentRedi $39.99 (or $49.99 with income verification), and Baselane from $24.99. Stessa includes tenant screening on its free plan. Always follow your local fair-housing and application-fee rules.
Screening checklist
- Written application. Name, contact details, current and prior addresses, employment, income, and consent to a background check.
- Identity. Government-issued photo ID that matches the application.
- Income and employment. Pay stubs, offer letter or tax returns. TurboTenant lists income and employer verification on its paid tiers. RentRedi offers Plaid-certified income verification as a $49.99 screening option.
- Credit, criminal and eviction reports. Run through a platform that packages these together.
- References. Prior landlords and, if useful, an employer.
- Consistent criteria. Apply the same standards to every applicant to stay within fair-housing rules.
- Keep records. Save the application, report and your decision notes.
Screening prices (vendor sites)
| Platform | Screening price | Who pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTenant | $45 | Renter (landlord can choose to pay) | Credit, criminal and eviction. Income/employer verification on paid tiers. |
| RentRedi | $39.99 · $49.99 with income verification | Tenant | Credit, criminal and eviction. Income verification is Plaid-certified. |
| Baselane | From $24.99 | Listed as a tenant fee | Report contents not detailed on the pricing page. |
| Stessa | Fee not listed | — | Tenant screening included on all plans. |
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Who pays for tenant screening?
On TurboTenant and RentRedi the applicant normally pays: TurboTenant lists $45, and RentRedi lists $39.99, or $49.99 with income verification. TurboTenant says landlords can choose to pay it themselves. Baselane lists tenant screening from $24.99.
What should a rental application include?
At minimum: contact details, address history, employment and income, consent to a background check, and a copy of a government ID.
Do local laws limit application fees?
Yes, some cities and states cap or ban application fees. Check your local rules before charging applicants.
Sources
- TurboTenant pricing: https://www.turbotenant.com/pricing/
- RentRedi pricing: https://rentredi.com/pricing/
- Baselane pricing: https://www.baselane.com/pricing
- Stessa pricing: https://www.stessa.com/pricing/
All prices and features above come from these vendor pages, checked on October 15, 2026. Details we couldn't confirm there are left out.