To rent a property, you must pass a tenant screening process. If you apply without understanding how the screening works, you may repeat the same mistake without ever learning why you were rejected. In this article, we explain the screening criteria, common reasons for rejection, practical countermeasures, and how to request another review in detail.
What is tenant screening for rental properties?
Tenant screening is a review in which the landlord or real estate company confirms whether the applicant is someone they can rent the property to with confidence. There is no single legal standard, and the details vary depending on the property, the owner, and the guarantor company. During the screening, you fill out a "rental application" with information such as your name, address, employer, annual income, and length of employment. Depending on the case, you may also need to submit documents such as proof of income, identification, and a residence certificate.
What are the criteria used in tenant screening?
The main items typically checked during screening are as follows.
- Income and employment stability：A common guideline is monthly income of at least three times the rent. Government employees and people working for large companies are often viewed favorably. Part-time workers and people with less than six months at their current job tend to be at a disadvantage.
- Payment history and credit information：Late payments on credit cards or loans can affect the screening result. Credit-affiliated guarantor companies review credit information.
- Manners and attitude：Your language, clothing, and attitude when dealing with the real estate company can also be part of the screening criteria.
- Living arrangement：For unmarried couples planning to live together, screening may become stricter because of concerns about payment stability if the relationship ends.
The screening period generally takes about 3 to 7 days.
What causes an applicant to fail tenant screening?
- Monthly income is less than three times the rent.
- Part-time employment, unemployment, or a short employment history
- A history of late credit card or rent payments
- A lifestyle schedule that differs significantly from existing residents (for example, a night-shift worker in a property suited to daytime schedules)
- Clothing or behavior that appears inappropriate for a working adult
- No joint guarantor, or the joint guarantor does not have sufficient income
What can you do if you fail tenant screening?
Proxy contract
If your income is unstable, one option is to ask a relative within the third degree of kinship who has stable income to sign the lease as a proxy. Because the proxy undergoes the screening, approval may still be possible even if the applicant's own credit information presents issues.
Request another review with a different guarantor company
There are two types of guarantor companies: "credit-affiliated" and "independent." Credit-affiliated companies tend to apply stricter standards because they check credit information, while independent companies may be easier to pass because they use their own criteria. For that reason, you should choose your next screening route based on the type of guarantor company that rejected you. However, if you fail screening repeatedly, there is a risk of being placed on a blacklist, so it is important to proceed carefully.
Change or add a joint guarantor
The joint guarantor's income, age, and whether they are within the second degree of kinship affect the screening result. The most reliable approach is usually to ask parents or siblings with full-time employment and stable income.
Look for a different property or rent range
If the rent is too high compared with your ability to pay, it can also be an effective option to review your overall housing situation and look for a property with lower rent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q. Can part-time workers rent a property?
- A. It is possible, but you are more likely to pass screening if you have a joint guarantor with stable income or choose a property that uses an independent guarantor company.
- Q. Will I be told why I failed the screening?
- A. As a rule, real estate companies and guarantor companies do not disclose the reason for rejection. In practice, it is more realistic to discuss the situation with the agent in charge and ask for indirect guidance.
- Q. Can I request another review as many times as I want?
- A. Reapplying to the same guarantor company carries a risk of being blacklisted. It is safer to change guarantor companies or apply for a different property.
- Q. Is there any way to rent a property even if I have a history of late payments?
- A. If you choose a property that uses an independent guarantor company that does not check credit information, your chances of passing screening may improve.
