What shows up on a tenant background check?
- The Rentell Team
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
If you manage rentals, you review tenant background checks every day. But not all reports are the same, and not all data shows up for every applicant. That can make screening feel inconsistent or unclear, especially as portable tenant screening reports become more common in Colorado.
This guide walks through what typically shows up on a tenant background check, what might not, and how Colorado rules affect what you’re required to accept. It’s written for property managers who want accurate, fair screening without surprises for themselves or for renters.
Here’s how tenant background checks usually work, and where portable reports fit in.
What is a tenant background check, really?
A tenant background check is a consumer report used during the rental application process. Property managers use it to review information that helps assess risk and fit based on their own screening criteria.
It’s important to separate two steps that often get blurred:
Reviewing a screening report
Deciding whether to approve an applicant
Screening reports provide information. Property managers make the decision.
What typically shows up on a tenant background check?
Most tenant background checks include some combination of the sections below. The exact contents depend on the provider, the property’s criteria, and what’s legally allowed.
Verified identity information
This confirms the renter is who they say they are. It usually includes:
Full name
Date of birth
Current or recent addresses
Social Security numbers are used to match records but aren’t shared with property managers. Modern tech enabled experience will also process an ID scan, assess a live selfie and look deeper into fraud signals to ensure a renter are who they say they are.
Credit history
Credit data often includes:
Credit score or score range
Open and closed accounts
Payment history
Collections or charge-offs
Not every property weighs credit the same way. Some focus on patterns, not just scores.
Eviction check
A search for any prior evictions, if applicable.
Income verification
Verified income which helps a renter demonstrate their ability to pay rent. Property managers typically see verified results, not raw documents.
Criminal history, where applicable
Criminal background checks may include:
Convictions from federal, state, or local courts
Jurisdictional information
Arrests without conviction are treated differently under Colorado law, and screening criteria must follow those rules.
People also ask: does a tenant background check show everything?
Short answer: no.
Tenant background checks only show information that’s legally reportable, available in databases, and relevant to housing decisions. They don’t show:
Bank balances
Medical records
Immigration status
Personal references or character notes
In short, screening reports are scoped tools, not full life histories.
How portable tenant screening reports fit in
Colorado law allows renters to provide a portable tenant screening report, also called a PTSR. If a renter provides a valid report, property managers are generally required to accept it as the screening report.
A valid portable report must:
Be completed within the last 30 days
Come from a consumer reporting agency
Include required components like identity, income, credit, eviction history, and relevant criminal background check
Be accessible at no cost to the property manager
Accepting the report doesn’t mean approving the applicant. You still apply your own screening criteria, just using the renter’s provided report instead of running a new one.
You can learn more here with our easy to follow guide.
People also ask: Can property managers ask for more screening after a portable report?
Sometimes, but not always.
If the portable report is valid and includes the required information, it replaces the need to charge for or run a new screening. If your criteria require details the report doesn’t include, or if the report doesn’t meet legal requirements, you may not be required to accept it.
The key is that acceptance of the report and approval of the applicant are separate steps.
Why accuracy and transparency matter
Screening decisions affect housing access. Inaccurate or unclear reports create friction for renters and extra work for property managers.
Under federal law, renters have the right to dispute inaccurate information at no cost. Reports must be accurate, current, and handled carefully. Transparency builds trust on both sides of the application process.
In short
A tenant background check typically includes identity details, credit history, rental history, income verification, and sometimes criminal records. What shows up depends on the report, the provider, and the property’s criteria.
In Colorado, valid portable tenant screening reports must usually be accepted, but they don’t guarantee approval. Property managers still decide, using their own standards.
Clear reports. Clear rules. Fewer surprises.
This article is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Property managers and renters should review official state and federal guidance or consult legal counsel for specific situations.
