Tenant screening & background checks before you sign.
A rental application can only tell you so much. NoBadTenants helps landlords review available eviction history, civil court records, and public criminal records before making a leasing decision. Flat-fee tenant background checks are $25 per applicant, with clear summaries and human review. Our target turnaround is 5 hours, subject to record availability.
Don't want to wait on an email? Call the number above once your check is done and we'll walk you through the results ourselves.
Illustrative example only — not a real applicant.
Why this exists
Leasing a property involves real financial risk. Landlords need information they can understand, not pages of confusing records. Our goal is simple: make available court-record information easier to review at a straightforward price, so you can make more informed rental decisions and follow applicable screening rules.
How it works
You send us the applicant's info. We do the digging. You get a plain-English report before you sign anything.
Send applicant details
Fill out the form below with your contact information and the applicant's name and phone number. Please do not include Social Security numbers or other sensitive identifiers in the notes.
We run the check
We review available eviction filings, civil court records, and public criminal records where accessible. Possible matches must be checked carefully; a filing is not the same as an eviction judgment.
Get your report
We aim to deliver a clear report within 5 hours when relevant records are available. We summarize the findings and explain what the information does and does not show.
What's in every report
No upsells, no add-on tiers. Every check includes the same full picture.
Eviction history
Available eviction filings and case outcomes, where accessible. A filing does not necessarily mean a renter was evicted.
Civil judgments
Potential matching civil court cases and judgments, subject to record availability and verification.
Criminal record search
Available public criminal court records where legally accessible; coverage differs by jurisdiction.
Identity & address history
Potential identity and address matches, based on available information; not a guarantee of identity.
Plain English summary
No legal jargon. Flags are called out clearly at the top of the report.
Bankruptcy
Available public bankruptcy case information, where lawful and accessible.
We don't pull credit reports. Our advertised service focuses on available court and public records, including eviction and other case information. Public records can be incomplete or outdated and should not be treated as a final decision by themselves. Tenant screening for housing can still be subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act even without a credit report.
No subscriptions, no per-report upcharges. One flat fee per request. Record availability and screening restrictions vary by jurisdiction.
Tenant screening help for landlords
Understand what different background checks can and cannot show before you evaluate a rental application.
Tenant screening service
Our $25 screening service, what is included, the ordering process, and the difference between public-record checks and credit reports.
How to check eviction history
What an eviction record means, why court filings are not the same as judgments, and what a landlord should verify.
Tenant background check guide
How public criminal records, civil cases, bankruptcy records, and other checks differ.
Landlord screening checklist
A practical checklist for consistent application screening, applicant permission, and fair, accurate decision-making.
Tenant screening FAQs
Answers to common questions about checking a rental applicant's background.
What does a tenant background check include?
NoBadTenants advertises available eviction, civil court, criminal court, bankruptcy, and related public-record searches, with a plain-English summary. Coverage depends on the jurisdiction and on what can lawfully be accessed. A credit report is not included.
How much does tenant screening cost?
Our listed price is $25 per applicant, without a subscription. To request a screening, complete the form on this page and follow the Stripe checkout.
How long does a tenant background check take?
Our target is around 5 hours after a completed request, but court availability, matching information, and follow-up questions can affect the time required. Contact us if you have an urgent move-in date.
Does a tenant screening report include a credit check?
No. The $25 NoBadTenants service does not include a credit report or credit score. A landlord who needs credit information must arrange it separately through an appropriate provider.
Can I check an applicant's eviction history?
Eviction court records may be available depending on the location, applicable laws, and record access. A case being filed does not prove an eviction occurred, and a matching name does not by itself establish the record belongs to the applicant. Read our eviction history guide.
Are criminal background checks the same as tenant credit checks?
No. Criminal court records, rental history, eviction records, and credit reports contain different types of information. Legal restrictions may also limit what can be reported or used in rental decisions.
Can landlords use public records to make rental decisions?
Landlords should use lawful, relevant and accurate information consistently. Federal, state and local rules may require permissible purpose, notices, and a chance to dispute information. The FTC's landlord guidance explains some of the federal requirements.
Is this service available in every state?
Requests can be submitted online, but record access and applicable screening rules vary by state and county. We need to confirm whether the requested records can be lawfully and reliably obtained before treating any report as complete.
Get a check started
Send a screening request for a legitimate rental application. Make sure you have any permission required by law. Prefer to talk through the service first? Call or text.
Already sent us an applicant? Call this number once it's done and we'll give you the results directly, no waiting on an email to land.