Finding the right tenant isn’t just about filling a vacancy — it’s about protecting your investment, reducing turnover, and ensuring consistent rental income. At Homestretch Property Management, we follow a proven six-step tenant screening process designed to place responsible, financially stable, long-term tenants in your St. Louis and St. Charles rental properties.
Below, we break down exactly how our tenant screening system works — and why local landlords trust us to safeguard their properties.
1. Pre-Screening Questions Before Scheduling a Showing
Before anyone visits the home, we ask a set of qualification-based questions, including:
- Desired move-in date
- Household income
- Pets and occupants
- Employment status
- Rental history
This prevents unnecessary showings and filters out unqualified prospects early.
Why it matters:
Pre-screening saves time and ensures only truly qualified tenants move to the next step.
2. Verified Income & Employment Checks
We don’t just accept pay stubs — we cross-verify income through:
- Employer verification
- Proof of stable employment
- Additional income sources (W-2, 1099, etc.)
- Bank statement consistency
Our standard requirement:
Tenants must earn at least 3X the monthly rent to qualify.
Why it matters:
Stable income = reliable rent payments.
3. Full Credit Report Review
Homestretch uses a full, tri-merge credit check that includes:
- Payment history
- Debt-to-income ratios
- Collections or charge-offs
- Past evictions or judgments
We don’t rely on tenant-provided credit scores — we pull the report directly for accuracy.
Why it matters:
Credit behavior shows financial responsibility beyond just income.
4. National Background & Criminal Screening
We run a multi-state background check covering:
- Criminal history
- Sex offender registry
- Fraud or identity theft markers
- Public records
Why it matters:
Safety for the neighborhood, property, and community is non-negotiable.
5. Rental History & Landlord Verification
One of the most important steps — and the one many self-managing landlords skip. We contact previous landlords directly to confirm:
- On-time payments
- Lease violations
- Property condition upon move-out
- Whether they’d rent to the tenant again
Why it matters:
Past rental behavior is the strongest predictor of future tenancy.
6. Final Review & Selection Based on Objective Criteria
Once all the data is gathered, our screening team evaluates applicants using a consistent, fair-housing-compliant scoring system.
We consider:
- Income stability
- Credit indicators
- Background results
- Verified rental history
- Overall tenancy risk rating
This ensures fair, unbiased decisions and protects both the tenant and the property owner.
Why Our Process Works (And Why Owners Trust Us)
Reduces vacancy
Minimizes missed payments
Reduces property damage
Protects owners from legal issues
Increases long-term rental stability
Homestretch Property Management focuses on placing high-quality, respectful tenants that treat your property like their own.
People Also Ask
Want Better Tenants for Your Rental Property?
If you’re a landlord in St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, or Wentzville, our proven screening system can help you dramatically improve your tenant quality — and your peace of mind.
Learn how our screening process protects your investment
