Costly Evictions: How Thorough Tenant Screening Saves You Thousands
Evictions aren’t just stressful—they’re expensive, time‑consuming, and disruptive. The best way to avoid those costs is to prevent problem tenancies from the start with a consistent, thorough screening workflow.
The True Cost of an Eviction
Even a straightforward case can take weeks or months. During that time, rent is usually not coming in—while mortgage, taxes, and maintenance keep going out.
| Expense Category | Typical Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Court filing & legal fees | $500 – $4,000 |
| Lost rent during process | $1,000 – $5,000+ |
| Property cleanup & repairs | $500 – $2,500 |
| Lock changes & security | $100 – $300 |
| Marketing & re‑leasing | $100 – $500 |
| Total (commonly) | $2,200 – $12,300+ |
Totals can be much higher if a tenant contests the case or causes major damage.
Why Screening Prevents Evictions
Comprehensive tenant screening reduces the risk of nonpayment, property damage, and lease violations. While no process is foolproof, consistent checks dramatically improve your odds of choosing reliable residents.
Key risk signals screening can catch
- Poor rental history: past evictions, broken leases, substantiated complaints
- Weak financial profile: low credit score, high debt-to-income, unstable income
- Relevant criminal history: evaluate case-by-case with fair housing in mind
- Inconsistent information: mismatches across application, references, and docs
Why this lowers eviction risk
- Identifies repeat patterns of nonpayment early
- Confirms ability to afford rent before move‑in
- Improves property and community safety
- Promotes fairness and consistency for compliance
The Essential Screening Checklist
- Pre‑screening questions: target move‑in date, lease term, pets/smoking, income-to-rent ratio (many use 3:1).
- Credit report: score band, payment history, delinquencies, utilization, public records.
- Criminal background: case‑by‑case review; consider severity, recency, and rehabilitation.
- Eviction history search: prior filings, judgments, dates, and reasons.
- Employment & income verification: pay stubs, employer contact, 1099/returns for self‑employed.
- Landlord references: on‑time payment, property condition at move‑out, lease compliance.
- Documentation & consistency: apply written criteria uniformly; keep records.
Real‑World Example
Landlord A approves an applicant on a good gut feeling, skipping verification. Three months later, rent stops. The eviction takes ~60 days and costs $8,000+ in lost rent and fees.
Landlord B uses a full screening report, flags a prior eviction and insufficient income, and declines the application. They approve a qualified tenant who stays 3 years with no missed rent. Screening cost: $40. Savings: thousands.
Make Evictions Less Likely—Screen Better
Comprehensive checks (credit, criminal, eviction) plus consistent criteria can prevent most costly scenarios before they start.
FAQs
How much does an eviction cost on average?
Totals vary by state and complexity, but many landlords see $2,000–$12,000+ when legal fees, lost rent, turnover, and repairs are added.
Which screening checks most reduce eviction risk?
A combined review of eviction history, credit profile, income verification, landlord references, and fair case‑by‑case criminal screening provides the strongest signal.
Can I pass screening fees to applicants?
Often yes—within local limits and with clear disclosure. Check your state and municipal rules regarding application and screening fees.
What income‑to‑rent ratio should I use?
Many landlords use 3:1 gross income‑to‑rent, applied consistently to all applicants. Document criteria and maintain records.