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Applicant-Paid Optional · $5 per Report

Tenant Screening — Honest Pricing

Applicant-paid screening is optional on invites. Order any report yourself for 1 screening credit ($5). A $5 identity check becomes 1 credit. Platinum ($5/month) includes identity and 1 report each month. Credit reports are not live.

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No credit card · No contract · Applicant-paid optional on invites

$5
Platinum / month
<5 min
Report turnaround
6
Data sources
100%
FCRA compliant

Applicant-paid optional. You stay in control.

See the difference between the old way and the VerticalRent way.

The Old Way

Landlord pays $20–50 per screening report
Must run reports on every applicant
Costs add up fast with multiple applicants
No guarantee applicant was serious
Manual process, paper forms, slow turnaround
Compliance burden falls on the landlord

The VerticalRent Way

Applicant-paid screening is optional on invites
Any report: 1 screening credit ($5). Rental history is included when paired
Platinum: identity included, 1 report each month, AI risk score
Credit report: not live

What applicants pay — what landlords pay

Criminal + eviction
Applicant
$10
|
Landlord
$10 or applicant
One report
Applicant
$5
|
Landlord
$5 or 1 included
Credit Report (not live)
Applicant
—
|
Landlord
Not live
Rental History
Applicant
Free / 6 mo
|
Landlord
In bundle / paired

Get your first report in minutes

Simple three-step process — no setup fees, no subscriptions required to start.

01

Sign Up Free

Create your landlord account in 2 minutes. No credit card required.

02

Invite Applicants

Send a screening invite. Applicant-paid screening is optional — you can cover reports or let them pay.

03

Receive the Report

Criminal, eviction, and rental-history reports land in your dashboard. Credit reports are not live. Identity is Verify $5 or Platinum.

Why serious applicants don't mind paying

Paying for screening actually benefits qualified renters.

Filters unserious applicants

Applicants who pay for a screening are genuinely interested. It reduces ghost applications and wasted time for everyone.

Protects good renters

Qualified applicants want to stand out. Paying for a full report signals confidence in their own rental history.

They get a copy too

Under the FCRA, applicants receive a copy of their own report. It's a useful record for future applications.

FAQ

Common Questions

Is tenant screening really free for landlords?

Applicant-paid screening is optional. Any single report is $5 if you order it yourself. A paid $5 identity verification becomes 1 screening credit. Platinum is $5/month with 1 included report. Credit reports are not live.

Who pays for the tenant screening report?

On an invite you can have the applicant pay, or you can cover it. Any single report is $5. Platinum includes 1 report a month. Credit reports are not live.

What if a tenant refuses to pay for screening?

You can decline to process their application. Serious applicants rarely object — requiring screening is standard practice in professional property management.

Is it legal to charge applicants for screening?

Yes, legal in all 50 states. Most states permit landlords to charge applicants the actual cost of background checks and credit reports. VerticalRent's fees are within all state limits.

How do I get started with free tenant screening?

Sign up free, add your property, and invite applicants or run a check. Applicant-paid screening is optional. Identity is Verify $5 or Platinum before you screen.

Run your first background check

Sign up in under 2 minutes. Applicant-paid screening is optional. Platinum is $5/month.

Get Started Free