RentPrep Review: The Ultimate Guide to Tenant Screening
Finding the right tenants is one of the most important things you can do as a landlord or property manager. You need renters who will pay on time, treat your property with respect, and be good neighbors. But how can you effectively screen applicants to find those ideal tenants? Enter RentPrep – a popular and highly-rated online tenant screening service.
In this comprehensive RentPrep review, we‘ll take a deep dive into everything this screening platform has to offer. By the end, you‘ll know the pros and cons, how it compares to the competition, and whether RentPrep is the right choice for your tenant screening needs. Let‘s get started!
What is RentPrep?
Founded in 2007, RentPrep provides tenant screening services to independent landlords and property managers across the United States. Their mission is to offer an easy and affordable way to check an applicant‘s background and financial history so that you can make an informed decision about who to rent to.
Some of the key screening reports and services offered by RentPrep include:
- Credit reports and scores
- Criminal background checks
- Eviction history reports
- Employment and income verification
- Rental history verification
- Judgments and liens searches
- Identity verification
RentPrep pulls data from multiple national and local databases to compile their reports. They are also fully compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), giving you peace of mind that screenings are being conducted legally and ethically.
RentPrep Screening Packages and Pricing
One of the first things landlords want to know is how much tenant screening is going to cost. With RentPrep, you can choose between ordering a la carte reports or signing up for one of their value-bundled screening packages.
Here‘s a breakdown of RentPrep‘s three main screening packages and pricing:
Basic Package – $18.95 per screening
- Credit check with score and summary
- National criminal records search
- National eviction records search
- 7 year residency history
Standard Package – $24.95 per screening
- Everything in Basic package
- Credit report (full)
- Enhanced criminal search (includes sex offender records, alias records, and county criminal records)
Premium Package – $34.95 per screening
- Everything in Standard package
- Income verification
- Prior landlord references
- Judgments & liens search
As you can see, the packages are priced very competitively compared to other screening services. The Basic package has all the essential reports most landlords need, while the Standard and Premium include some nice extra features if you want to be extra thorough.
One common pricing complaint we saw from RentPrep customers was that add-on reports like income verification cost extra on top of the package price ($12.50 per screening if ordered separately). However, you can save by bundling it in the Premium package. Just something to be aware of!
Overall, we found RentPrep‘s pricing to be very fair and transparent with no hidden fees. They clearly list what‘s included in each package and add-on so you know exactly what you‘re paying for.
Pros of Using RentPrep
So what are the main benefits of screening tenants with RentPrep? Here are some of the biggest pros we found in our research and testing:
Easy application process – RentPrep makes it simple for prospective tenants to submit their application online. They just need to provide their personal/contact info and authorize the background check. This saves you the hassle of collecting physical applications and signatures.
Quick report turnaround – Most screening reports are returned within 1-2 business days, so you won‘t be left waiting around too long for results. The exact time depends on the specific searches ordered, but it‘s generally pretty speedy.
Thorough background checks – By searching hundreds of national, state, and local databases, RentPrep provides comprehensive insight into an applicant‘s history. If there are any red flags like criminal records or past evictions, they should show up on the reports.
Great customer service – In online RentPrep reviews, customers consistently praise their helpful and responsive support team. Whether you have questions about pricing, need help understanding a report, or have technical issues, they are just a phone call or email away. Support is available weekdays from 8am-8pm Eastern.
Integrates with property management software – Have an existing property management system you use and love? Good news – RentPrep integrates with many popular platforms like Buildium, Propertyware, and Ren Hub. This allows you to easily order and view screening reports without leaving your main software.
Educational resources – The RentPrep website has a super helpful Education Center with dozens of articles on tenant screening best practices, landlord tips, and more. It‘s a great place to learn how to make the most of your screening results and strengthen your rental business overall. Total bonus!
Cons of Using RentPrep
While RentPrep has a lot of positives, no screening service is perfect. Here are a few potential downsides to consider:
Does not offer reports in some states – Due to certain states‘ specific statutory restrictions, RentPrep does not offer their basic criminal background checks in the following areas: Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Delaware, District of Columbia. They offer alternatives like county-based searches if you opt for the Premium package, but it‘s still a bit of a limitation.
Limited customer support hours – As mentioned, RentPrep‘s phone and email support is only available 8am-8pm ET Monday through Friday. No weekend support could be difficult if you have an urgent issue or question pop up.
Extra fee to verify income on lower-tier packages – Want to verify an applicant‘s employment and income? You‘ll have to pay $12.50 extra per screening on top of the Basic and Standard packages. It‘s included in Premium, but for the lower packages it‘s a notable added cost.
No tenant-paid screening option – Some landlords prefer to have applicants pay for their own screening reports. Unfortunately, RentPrep doesn‘t offer a tenant-paid option – the landlord always pays the cost. You can still collect application fees to recoup the screening cost, but it has to be charged separately.
Despite these drawbacks, we still think RentPrep offers an excellent screening experience overall, especially for small-to-midsize independent landlords. But it‘s good to have a full picture as you compare services!
What Do Customers Say About RentPrep?
You know what we think of RentPrep, but what about real customers? We scoured reviews on sites like Trustpilot and Google to see what actual users had to say. Here are some common themes and ratings:
Positive
- Easy and intuitive screening process
- Reports are detailed and easy to understand
- Great customer service with prompt, helpful responses
- Affordable, competitive pricing
- Like educational blog and resource center
- Integrations with property management software a nice perk
Negative
- No screening available in certain states is frustrating
- Wish income verification was included in lower packages
- A few complaints of reports taking longer than advertised
Average Rating: 4.5/5 stars across major review platforms
The vast majority of customer reviews we found for RentPrep were very positive. Users seem especially happy with the simplicity of the screening process, quality of reports, and highly-rated support team. The biggest complaints centered around lack of service in some states and income verification being limited to Premium package. But overall, RentPrep gets a big thumbs up from most customers!
How Does RentPrep Compare to Other Screening Services?
Of course, RentPrep isn‘t the only tenant screening game in town. Let‘s see how they stack up against some of their biggest competitors:
RentPrep vs. E-Renter:
- E-Renter offers slightly cheaper Basic screening package ($19.95 vs $24.95) but their reports aren‘t as detailed.
- RentPrep‘s Premium package is $5 cheaper than E-Renter‘s while including more searches.
- RentPrep offers phone support; E-Renter is online/email only.
- Reviews suggest E-Renter‘s website and screening process is less intuitive than RentPrep‘s.
RentPrep vs. MyRental:
- MyRental‘s basic screening package is more expensive at $24.99 per screening ($34.99 for their Premium).
- Unlike RentPrep, MyRental doesn‘t offer any add-on searches for lower tier packages.
- MyRental has fewer property management software integrations.
- MyRental‘s educational/landlord resources aren‘t as extensive as RentPrep‘s.
RentPrep vs. LeaseRunner:
- LeaseRunner offers a $20 basic screening (credit report only)
- Their Premium screening with full background check is same price as RentPrep ($34.95) but includes additional searches like nationwide sex offender search.
- LeaseRunner offers some unique reports RentPrep doesn‘t have like Driver‘s Registration records and I-9 Employment Verifications.
- LeaseRunner has fewer reviews online but they are generally positive like RentPrep‘s.
Overall, we think RentPrep provides the best value for the money, especially if you opt for their Standard or Premium package. Their stellar customer service and helpful resources set them ahead of competitors.
Tips for Making the Most of RentPrep
Want to really maximize your RentPrep tenant screening experience? Try these tips:
-
Customize your rental application – RentPrep allows landlords to create a custom rental application for free on their site. Take advantage of this to make sure you‘re collecting all the info and consent needed to run screening reports.
-
Discuss any issues directly with applicants – If a screening report reveals any red flags, it‘s best to discuss it directly with the applicant before making a final decision. There may be extenuating circumstances or the information could be inaccurate. RentPrep‘s FCRA-certified screeners can guide you on next steps.
-
Take advantage of bulk discounts – If you have multiple vacancies to fill, RentPrep offers discounts on bulk screening packages. For example, their 10-pack of Premium screenings is $299 ($90 savings).
-
Check out sample reports – Not sure which screening package you need? RentPrep has sample reports on their site so you can see exactly what information is provided at each tier. Super helpful for choosing your best fit!
-
Read RentPrep‘s Education Center Articles – Bookmark RentPrep‘s Education Center and return to it often. They add new content all the time on screening best practices, landlord-tenant laws, and all kinds of helpful rental tips. It‘s like getting free continuing education!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about RentPrep? We‘ve got answers to some of the most common ones:
How long does screening take?
Most reports are returned instantly or within 1 business day. The exact time depends on the specific searches ordered and data available.
Can I share RentPrep screening reports with applicants?
Yes, if an applicant is denied tenancy based on information in their screening report, the FCRA requires you share a copy of the report with them. RentPrep will provide instructions on how to do this properly.
Does RentPrep verify employment and income?
Yes, as an add-on search or included in their Premium screening package, RentPrep can contact the applicant‘s employer to confirm their job and salary. They also have an in-app income verification tool where applicants can upload pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of income.
What if I need a type of search not offered by RentPrep?
RentPrep can do custom searches for things like business credit reports, education verification, or international background checks. Contact their customer support team to request a quote for additional bespoke screening services.
Is there a RentPrep mobile app?
Yes, the RentPrep mobile app lets you order and view reports from your phone or tablet. Applicants can also fill out their profiles and authorize screening via a mobile-friendly site, so you can process applications from anywhere!
The Verdict: Is RentPrep Screening Worth It?
After thoroughly testing RentPrep‘s platform and analyzing user reviews, we can confidently say YES – RentPrep is absolutely worth it for independent landlords looking for an affordable, reliable tenant screening service.
Here‘s why we love RentPrep:
- Straightforward, competitive pricing with packages for every budget
- Comprehensive screening reports with all the key information landlords need to make informed decisions
- Simple, quick screening process (for both landlords and applicants)
- Responsive, knowledgeable customer service and support
- Integrates with popular property management software
- Helpful educational resources and landlord tips
While the lack of screening in certain states is a bummer, overall the positives far outweigh the negatives. We recommend starting with the Standard package for a great balance of cost and features.
The bottom line is that good tenant screening is one of the most important investments you can make as a landlord. Choosing the wrong tenant who doesn‘t pay rent or trashes your property can cost you thousands down the road. Spending ~$25-$35 upfront to get a clear picture of who you‘re renting to is a no-brainer.
With their robust screening tools, great pricing, and highly-rated service, RentPrep gets our enthusiastic recommendation. You‘ll be in great hands with this screening partner on your side!
