I screen for the long stay, not the perfect score.
The highest-credit applicant isn't always the right one. I'm looking for the person most likely to still be here in year three. That changes which reference questions matter and what I want to hear back from their employer.
- 3-bureau credit and direct employment verification
- Two prior-landlord reference calls, with a script
- Income at 3× rent, documented
- Recommendation memo to the owner before the final pick