The Complete Guide to Tenant Screening in Massachusetts
Finding the right tenant is the single most important decision a landlord makes. Here is how to screen tenants in Massachusetts while staying compliant with Fair Housing law.
What You Can Screen For
Creditworthiness, criminal history (with limitations), income and employment, rental history, and identity verification. You cannot screen based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or receipt of public assistance.
Step-by-Step Process
Pre-Screening: Ask about move-in date, occupants, income, pets, and reason for moving. Ask every prospect the same questions.
Application: Collect full legal name, SSN, addresses, employer info, references, and signed consent for checks.
Credit Check: Look for overall score (650+ is good), payment history, collections, and debt-to-income ratio.
Background Check: You cannot ask about arrests without conviction or sealed records. Evaluate convictions individually.
Income Verification: Industry standard is 3x monthly rent. Verify through pay stubs, employment letters, W-2s, or bank statements.
Landlord References: Call at least two previous landlords about rent payment, property damage, and noise complaints.
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Related Resources
- The Ultimate Guide to Finding Quality Tenants — A step-by-step approach to tenant placement.
- 5 Massachusetts Landlord Laws Every Rental Owner Must Know — Legal requirements for screening tenants in MA.
- Our Tenant Screening Services — Let us handle the screening for you.