What is the Pre-Screener, and How Does it Work?

Find out if interested leads meet the basic criteria for your property instantly.

Kaelyn avatar
Written by Kaelyn
Updated over a week ago

We understand that pre-screening is an essential step in the rental process as it allows landlords to identify potential red flags and narrow down their search to serious candidates.

TurboTenant's free pre-screener involves asking potential renters to fill out a questionnaire form, which includes information about their employment, monthly income, estimated credit score, number of occupants, pets, and more! Continue reading to see how this works!

What is a Pre-Screener or Pre-Screening Rental Application?

A pre-screener or pre-screening rental application is a short questionnaire that can help you learn more about your potential renter and whether or not they will qualify for your property. When you turn on marketing, TurboTenant will automatically send a pre-screener to each lead who fills out a contact form for your property.

You can also send a pre-screener manually within your account by going to the Leads tab or the Properties tab and clicking on the property you want to screen the lead for.

For step-by-step instructions on sending the pre-screener to a lead, click here.

To customize your pre-screener questions, click here.


What Does the Pre-Screener Ask?

In the pre-screener, your lead is asked about:

  • Contact Information

  • Employment Situation

  • Monthly Income

  • Self-Reported Credit Score

  • Desired Move-in Date

  • Number of people they will be living with

  • Pets

  • Smoking

  • Any questions they have for you

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Once the renter completes the questionnaire, we will send you an email letting you know so you can review their information.

If they seem like they could be a good fit, feel free to move forward with them - whether that is inviting them to see the rental or having them fill out a rental application.

You’ll be able to assess different leads faster than ever, making sure you don’t waste your time on any renters that might not be a good fit from the beginning.


How does the Pre-Screener differ from the Rental Application?

The pre-screener is a short, free questionnaire that renters can fill out in a couple of minutes. It gives you basic information about each lead to help you quickly weed out anyone who might not be a good fit.

However, the pre-screener is not a substitute for a rental application. TurboTenant’s Online Rental Application is an extensive set of questions that gather all the industry-standard information you need to make a good decision. It is perfect for each renter you are highly considering renting to.

Our rental application asks about:

  • Rental History

  • Specific employment details

  • Proof of Income (uploading a bank statement or paystub)

  • Pet and vehicle details

Along with our thorough credit, criminal, and eviction report, the rental application will help you rest easy knowing you’re renting to the right tenant.

Verify applicant-reported income against data from TransUnion with Income Insights. Learn more here.

Customize your Screening Process with Custom Pre-Screener Questions

Interested in diving even deeper before inviting renters to apply? With Premium, you can add Custom Pre-Screener Questions.

This feature allows you to include up to four custom questions relevant to your property or screening criteria.

Curious about a prospect's ability to maintain a garden or their previous experience in a condo community? Whatever your specific concerns or requirements are, Custom Pre-Screener Questions help you gather that vital information upfront.

Ready to refine your tenant selection process? Upgrade to TurboTenant Premium today and unlock the power of Custom Pre-Screener Questions. Make every lead count!


Have additional questions?


Still have questions? Reach out to our team at [email protected] for additional assistance.

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