Your tenant is the single most important variable in your rental property's success. A great tenant pays on time, takes care of the property, and renews their lease. A bad tenant can cost you $10,000+ in lost rent, legal fees, and repairs. Thorough screening is your best defense.
What to Screen For
Every Nashville tenant application should be evaluated on five criteria:
| Criterion | What to Look For | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Score | Payment history, outstanding debts | 620+ recommended |
| Income | Verifiable gross monthly income | 3x monthly rent |
| Rental History | Previous landlord references | No evictions in 5 years |
| Criminal Background | Felony convictions | Case-by-case basis |
| Eviction History | Court records search | No prior evictions |
The Best Tenant Screening Tools
Do not rely on tenant-provided documents alone. Use a professional service that pulls verified data:
The gold standard for landlord screening. Pulls full credit report, criminal background, eviction history, and income insights. Cost is charged to the applicant ($40–$45), so it costs you nothing. Results in minutes.
Start screening with SmartMove →
What You Cannot Ask in Tennessee
Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination based on protected classes. You cannot make rental decisions based on:
- Race, color, or national origin
- Religion
- Sex or gender
- Familial status (having children)
- Disability status
You also cannot have a blanket policy refusing all applicants with criminal records — this can constitute disparate impact discrimination. Evaluate criminal history on a case-by-case basis considering the nature of the offense and time elapsed.
How to Document Your Decision
Apply the same written criteria to every applicant. Document your reasons for approving or rejecting in writing. If you reject an applicant based on a credit or background report, you must provide an Adverse Action Notice telling them which consumer reporting agency provided the report.
Setting Your Application Requirements
Post your criteria publicly on your listing so applicants can self-select. A standard Nashville rental might require:
- Credit score 620 or higher
- Monthly income of 3x the rent ($5,100/month for a $1,700/month rental)
- No evictions in the past 5 years
- Verifiable rental or mortgage history for the past 2 years
- Completed application with authorization for background check
Advertisement — Google AdSense
Need to Sell Your Nashville Home Fast?
We buy Nashville homes for cash, as-is. No repairs, no commissions, close in as little as 7 days.
Get My Free Cash Offer →