Tenant screening: use consent and appropriate evidence

Tenant screening should use appropriate evidence and a lawful, transparent process. An owner should understand what is being assessed and how the information is obtained and handled.

Define the purpose

Identify information relevant to the proposed tenancy and use authorised channels with the necessary permissions. Avoid collecting unrelated personal details or treating an unverified label as a complete assessment.

Apply a consistent process

Record the criteria, evidence and outstanding questions. Obtain qualified advice on applicable privacy and tenancy requirements. Screening should support a reasoned decision; it does not guarantee payment or justify unsupported assumptions about an applicant.