Tenant Screening Guide (landlord)

Because one bad tenant — nonpayment, damage, an eviction — can erase a year of return. A vacant month is a known, bounded cost; the wrong tenant is open-ended. Screen thoroughly and consistently.

Around 2.5–3× the rent, verified against pay and employment — but confirm current local rules, since some jurisdictions limit criteria. The point is a consistent, documented threshold applied to every applicant.

Never screen on protected classes, apply identical written criteria to everyone, and follow WA and city rules — some require a "first qualified applicant" process, specific notices, and fee limits. Consistency is both fairer and your legal protection.

Income and employment, rental history and landlord references, and credit or background within legal limits. Keep it to job-relevant, legally permitted criteria applied the same way each time.

Yes — WA and some cities update screening and fair-housing requirements regularly, including notice and adverse-action rules. Verify the current law before each leasing cycle rather than reusing last year's process.

Build consistent written criteria and confirm current WA/city compliance, then keep records. Setting up compliant screening and the right team is part of a Real Estate Review.