Tenant screening for New Jersey rental owners

Our screening steps

1. Complete application. Every adult applicant lists current and past addresses, employers, income and references. Gaps are followed up, not ignored.
2. Income and employment. We confirm the household can afford the rent with documents and, where possible, the employer.
3. Rental history. Previous landlords tell us whether rent was paid on time, how the home was left and whether they would rent to the applicant again.
4. Credit and background. Credit reports show how obligations are handled. Criminal background checks happen only at the stage New Jersey law allows.
5. Decision and documentation. The result, and the reason for it, is recorded against the written criteria.

New Jersey rules we follow

New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination protects applicants on many grounds, including source of lawful income such as housing vouchers. The Fair Chance in Housing Act generally bars criminal history questions until after a conditional offer and limits which records may be considered. Our guide to screening under the Fair Chance in Housing Act explains the order of steps.

Warning signs we look for

• Reluctance to give landlord references or employer contacts
• Information that does not match across documents
• Pressure to skip steps or move in immediately
• Offers of several months' rent in cash in exchange for skipping screening

More background: why tenant screening matters. Screening student and roommate applications near Rowan has its own wrinkles, covered on tenant screening in Glassboro.