Tenant criminal background check

Compliant criminal background checks.

Run a tenant criminal background check on potential tenants in minutes. You'll get the full picture on criminal history (national and county), sex offender registry, and global watchlist search. Included in every Checkr Tenant screening package, starting at $24.99.

Run a criminal check See what's in the report

What every report searches

900M+ records
National criminal database
2,400+ sources
County criminal records
50 states + DC
Sex offender registry + NSOPW
Global watchlist
OFAC, Interpol, FBI & more
Included in every package
Search coverage included in every Checkr Tenant criminal background check. Actual results returned depend on the applicant and jurisdiction.
Nationwide coverage Included in every package FCRA Compliant

What is a tenant criminal background check?

A tenant criminal background check, also called a criminal history check, is a criminal history report pulled on a prospective renter, with their written consent, so a landlord can evaluate them before approving a lease. With Checkr Tenant, the report searches a national criminal database, county criminal records, the sex offender registry, and global watchlists, and comes back the same day.

Inside a tenant criminal background check

Every record signal you need to pick the right renter.

Checkr is an industry leader in background checks, running 65M+ checks a year across every industry in the U.S. A criminal background check for tenant screening, or criminal history report, searches national and county sources at once. Each section opens with a clear summary, so you can read it in minutes instead of digging through raw court records.

  • Felony & misdemeanor

    A single search across 900M+ records nationwide that surfaces felony and misdemeanor convictions in seconds.

  • County criminal records

    Aggregated county-level records from data sources nationwide, catching records the national database alone can miss. Most criminal prosecutions happen at the county level, so this adds real depth to the history.

  • Sex offender registry

    All 50 states, DC, tribal territories, and the federal NSOPW registry.

  • Global watchlist

    Denied Persons List, Interpol Most Wanted, OFAC Sanctions, FBI Most Wanted, and more.

  • Disposition & sentencing

    Charge type, case outcome, and sentencing detail behind every record, not just a flag.

  • Identity match

    Name, alias, and SSN matching so records belong to the applicant, not someone with a similar name.

This is the same direct-to-source criminal and public records search behind Checkr Trust, covering 99% of the U.S. population. Other providers lean on static watchlists that miss real-world context. Checkr pulls fresh, accurate, and comprehensive data straight from the source, so you see the full picture before you approve a lease.

What's reportable can vary by state and local law. Coverage figures reflect national database and registry sources; actual results depend on the applicant and jurisdiction.

Know the rules

Rules vary by state and city.

A criminal record can raise fair questions for a landlord to weigh. It's rarely, on its own, an automatic reason to say no. Beyond the federal FCRA, a growing number of states and cities have "fair chance housing" laws that limit how far back a landlord can look, which offenses can be considered, or whether a criminal history question can be asked at all before a conditional lease offer. New York City is one example. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has also published guidance cautioning that blanket criminal-history policies can raise Fair Housing Act concerns. Check the rules in your state or city, and talk to your own counsel, before setting a screening policy.

Lookback periods

7 years
Today 10+ yrs ago

The FCRA's general cap on reporting most non-conviction information. Convictions can often be reported longer, and state and local law can set different limits.

Individualized assessment

3 factors
  • Nature
  • Timing
  • Relevance

Many fair chance housing laws expect landlords to weigh the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and its relevance to the tenancy, rather than applying a blanket denial rule.

This is general information, not legal advice. Screening policies should be reviewed with your own counsel against the laws where you rent.

FCRA compliant

Consent first. Then the search.

A landlord criminal background check counts as a "consumer report" under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), so it can only be requested after the applicant gives written consent. Checkr Tenant builds that consent step into every applicant's screening flow.

If a landlord decides not to approve an application because of something in the report, the FCRA's adverse action process requires giving the applicant notice, a copy of the report, and a chance to dispute anything inaccurate before the decision is final.

Applicants can read a plain-language breakdown of these rights in the FTC's guide to tenant background checks.

The consent flow, step by step
  1. 1
    Disclosure

    The applicant is told a criminal background check will be run and by whom.

  2. 2
    Written consent

    The applicant authorizes the search on their phone before anything is requested.

  3. 3
    Report & dispute rights

    The applicant can review the report and dispute anything they believe is inaccurate.

Tenant criminal background check vs. other background checks

Built for renting.

A tenant criminal background check is shaped around what landlords actually need to see. It's different from an employment background check or a background check someone orders on themselves, even when the underlying record sources overlap.

Tenant criminal background check

Pulled with the applicant's consent to evaluate them for a lease. National database, county records, sex offender registry, and global watchlist, included in every package. This is what you're getting.

Employment background check

Run by employers as part of hiring, under different consent forms and EEOC-related considerations.

Personal background check

Someone checking their own record before they apply anywhere, to catch surprises early. Also available direct from Checkr, outside of a specific rental application.

How tenant criminal background checks work

Run a tenant criminal background check in minutes.

From signup to first report takes minutes, with results back the same day. The applicant does their part on their phone. You see live progress on your end.

  1. 1

    Make a free landlord account

    Takes about five minutes. No credit card. No contracts. Just your name, email, and the address of the place you're renting out.

  2. 2

    Pick any package

    A criminal background check is included starting with the Starter Package ($24.99). The Essential Package ($34.99) adds credit and eviction history; Complete ($44.99) adds income and assets from the applicant's bank.

  3. 3

    Send the applicant a screening link

    We text or email the applicant. They open it on their phone, consent to the criminal background check, and take a selfie with their ID. You decide who pays the screening fee, you or the applicant. You don't chase paperwork. (See what they see, on the right.)

  4. 4

    Read the report. Decide.

    Most criminal background reports come back the same day. You get a notification, open the report, and see national, county, sex offender registry, and global watchlist results right next to credit and eviction history.

One dashboard. Full picture.
Sample preview of Checkr Tenant applicant dashboard
  • Photo ID
  • Criminal
  • Eviction
  • Credit
  • Income

Criminal history in a single view beside everything else.

A criminal background check is one signal. See it side by side with credit, eviction, and income so you have the whole picture in one place without switching between tools and platforms. Everything to give your most confident, “Yes.”

Criminal background check pricing

Included in every package.
You decide who pays.

Criminal is included in every package type, not just an add-on: Starter, Essential, and Complete. No monthly fees. No contracts. Pay per screening.

  • Includes criminal
    Starter
    $24.99
    per screening

    The foundation every Checkr Tenant screening starts with.

    See what's included
    Criminal History Criminal History National criminal database search covering felony and misdemeanor records across 900M+ records from 2,400+ state and county data sources nationwide, plus county courthouse searches. National DB - State - County Sex Offender Registry Sex Offender Registry Checks U.S. public sex offender registries across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, tribal territories, and the federal NSOPW (National Sex Offender Public Website). 50 State Registries - DC - Tribal - NSOPW Global Watchlist Global Watchlist Search Searches a comprehensive list of government and regulatory watchlists. Denied Persons List - Interpol Most Wanted - OFAC Sanctions - FBI Most Wanted - And More Identity Intelligence for $3.95
    Start new screening
  • Includes criminal
    Essential
    $34.99
    per screening

    Core checks beyond criminal, including eviction history and a credit report.

    See what's included
    Eviction history Full Eviction History Searches housing court records for eviction filings and judgments nationwide. Coverage is limited in a small number of states due to court data availability. State Housing Courts Credit score Credit Score Rental-specific credit scores that gives you the confidence you need to make informed decisions. Credit Report Agencies Credit report Credit Report Include payment history, number of open accounts, average payment per month, and credit utilization ratio. Credit Reporting Agencies Criminal History Criminal History National criminal database search covering felony and misdemeanor records across 900M+ records from 2,400+ state and county data sources nationwide, plus county courthouse searches. National DB - State - County Sex Offender Registry Sex Offender Registry Checks U.S. public sex offender registries across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, tribal territories, and the federal NSOPW (National Sex Offender Public Website). 50 State Registries - DC - Tribal - NSOPW Global Watchlist Global Watchlist Search Searches a comprehensive list of government and regulatory watchlists. Denied Persons List - Interpol Most Wanted - OFAC Sanctions - FBI Most Wanted - And More Identity Intelligence for $3.95
    Start new screening
  • Includes criminal
    Complete
    $44.99
    per screening

    The full picture of an applicant, including verified income and assets.

    See what's included
    Income information Income Verification Verifies income directly from the applicant's bank account. No pay stubs or uploads required. Bank Records Assets & bank report Assets & Bank Verification Directly information from your renter's bank account, allowing you to know asset and income stream information from source. Bank Data Eviction history Full Eviction History Searches housing court records for eviction filings and judgments nationwide. Coverage is limited in a small number of states due to court data availability. State Housing Courts Credit score & report Credit Score & Report Rental-specific credit scores that gives you the confidence you need to make informed decisions. Include payment history, number of open accounts, average payment per month, and credit utilization ratio. Credit Report Agencies - Credit Reporting Agencies Criminal History Criminal History National criminal database search covering felony and misdemeanor records across 900M+ records from 2,400+ state and county data sources nationwide, plus county courthouse searches. National DB - State - County Sex Offender Registry Sex Offender Registry Checks U.S. public sex offender registries across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, tribal territories, and the federal NSOPW (National Sex Offender Public Website). 50 State Registries - DC - Tribal - NSOPW Global Watchlist Global Watchlist Search Searches a comprehensive list of government and regulatory watchlists. Denied Persons List - Interpol Most Wanted - OFAC Sanctions - FBI Most Wanted - And More Identity Intelligence for $3.95
    Start new screening

You decide who pays at checkout, you or the applicant. A criminal background check is included in every package.

More Resources

FAQ
  • What is a tenant criminal background check?

    A tenant criminal background check, also called a criminal history check, is a criminal history report pulled on a prospective renter, with their written consent, so a landlord can evaluate them before approving a lease. With Checkr Tenant, the report searches a national criminal database covering 900M+ records from 2,400+ county data sources, plus county criminal records, the sex offender registry, and global watchlists.

  • Is a criminal history check the same as a criminal background check?

    Yes. “Criminal history check” and “criminal history report” are other common names for the same criminal background check landlords run on a rental applicant. Checkr Tenant uses the terms interchangeably; the report always covers the same national database, county criminal records, sex offender registry, and global watchlist search.

  • What shows up on a tenant criminal background check?

    A Checkr Tenant criminal background check may show felony and misdemeanor convictions along with case disposition and sentencing information, sex offender registry status across all 50 states, DC, and tribal territories, and matches against global watchlists like OFAC Sanctions and the FBI Most Wanted list. What's reportable can vary by state law.

  • Is it legal for a landlord to run a criminal background check on an applicant?

    Yes, in all 50 states, as long as the applicant gives written consent first and the landlord follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Checkr Tenant is FCRA compliant and captures that consent automatically. Some states and cities also have fair chance housing laws that limit when and how criminal history can be considered, so it's worth checking local rules.

  • How far back does a tenant criminal background check go?

    Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally cannot report most non-conviction criminal information older than seven years, though state law can set different limits and convictions can often be reported without a time limit. Coverage windows vary by jurisdiction and record type.

  • Can a landlord deny an apartment because of a criminal record?

    It depends on the record and the jurisdiction. Some states and cities restrict how far back a landlord can look or which offenses can be considered, and HUD guidance cautions that blanket criminal-history policies can raise fair housing concerns. If a landlord denies an application based on a background check, the FCRA's adverse action process requires giving the applicant notice, a copy of the report, and a chance to dispute inaccurate information.

  • How much does a criminal background check for renters cost?

    A criminal background check is included in every Checkr Tenant package, starting with Starter at $24.99 per screening. You decide who pays at checkout, you or the applicant. There are no monthly fees and no contracts.

  • How long does a tenant criminal background check take?

    Most tenant criminal background checks come back the same day, often within minutes. The applicant consents and verifies their identity on their phone, and whichever of you is paying completes checkout there too. As soon as the search sources return data, the report appears in your dashboard.

  • Does a tenant criminal background check include the sex offender registry?

    Yes. Every Checkr Tenant criminal background check searches public sex offender registries across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, tribal territories, and the federal NSOPW (National Sex Offender Public Website), alongside the national criminal database and global watchlist search.

  • Have more questions?

    Refund policy, ID requirements, and how disputes work, answered in one place. Read the full FAQ →

Get started

Run a tenant criminal background check today.

Make a free landlord account and send your first screening invite in under five minutes. You decide who pays, you or the applicant.

A criminal background check is included in every package, so you always know who's moving in.

Run a criminal background check

Included from Starter ($24.99) - FCRA compliant - You decide who pays

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