Screening Rental Applicants in Chicago 2025

1. Follow Chicago’s RLTO (Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance)

If your property is in the city of Chicago (not the suburbs), you must comply with the RLTO. Some key points that affect tenant screening:

• You cannot discriminate against protected classes (this includes source of income like Section 8).

• You must disclose tenant screening criteria in advance (if you use one).

• Be cautious with application fees, they must be reasonable and used solely to cover the cost of screening.

2. Standard Application Criteria (Apply Consistently)

Always use the same criteria for every applicant to avoid claims of discrimination. Here are common ones:

• Income: 2.5x (we use net monthly)

• Credit Score: 650+ (flexible depending on overall profile)

• Rental History: Positive references from previous landlords

• Employment: Stable, verifiable income

3. Use a Reputable Screening Service

Consider services like:

• TransUnion SmartMove

• Avail (owned by Realtor.com)

• RentRedi

• TurboTenant These platforms pull credit, criminal, eviction, and employment history. Some let the applicant pay directly.

4. Verify Documents

Don’t just trust what applicants write:

• Call employers to verify job/income.

• Call past landlords (ask: “Would you rent to them again?”).

• Google paystubs if they look suspicious, fakes are common!!

5. Watch for Red Flags

• Incomplete application

• Frequent moves

• Rushed move-in timeline

• Unverifiable income

• Negative attitude or evasive answers

6. Comply with Fair Housing Laws

In Chicago, protected classes include:

• Race, color, religion

• National origin

• Gender identity, sexual orientation

• Marital status

• Source of income (e.g. vouchers like Section 8)

Avoid:

• Denying based on voucher status

• Asking discriminatory questions

• Applying stricter standards for certain applicants

7. Document Everything

• Keep a paper trail of application decisions

• Store communication (texts, emails) in case of disputes

• Have applicants sign consent forms for background checks

Demonstrate Transparency in Every Interaction!

If you’d rather avoid the risks and handle tenant screening the right way from the start, feel free to contact us and we’ll take care of the process for you.