What’s the Best Way to Qualify a New Tenant in San Antonio?

By Bobbye Joe McMillan

Bobbye Joe McMillan is the driving force behind Cornerstone Property Management, bringing over 30 years of expertise in real estate to help clients achieve their property goals.

Are you sure you’re choosing the right tenant? It’s easy to rush into renting a property, especially amid strong demand, but taking the time to screen tenants properly is crucial.

With the 2026 housing market expected to be more balanced and affordability slowly improving, many people will stay in rentals longer. Doing tenant screening the right way now can save you headaches later and help you secure reliable renters from the start.

Here are the top three steps to qualify a tenant and ensure they’re a good fit for your property:

1. Verify credit, income, and employment. The very first thing you should check is the tenant’s credit. A good credit history shows they are responsible and pay bills on time. While a perfect score isn’t necessary, a solid credit report gives you a glimpse into their financial habits.

Next, verify their income to ensure they can afford the rent. You want to make sure their monthly income is enough to cover the rent, ideally at least three times the rent. Ask for pay stubs or bank statements to confirm this.

Finally, don’t forget to verify their employment. A stable job shows they are likely to stay in the same position and provide a consistent income. Self-employed? Ask for tax returns to confirm their earnings.

2. Conduct criminal and rental history checks. While credit checks and income verification are important, it’s equally crucial to run a criminal background check. This gives you a sense of any potential risks, such as violent offenses or previous evictions. Make sure to follow your state’s laws on what you can and can’t use from a criminal background report.

Along with the background check, ask for the previous rental history and, more importantly, if they have a sex offender background. Call past landlords to ask about their rent payment habits and how they treated the property. This will give you a clearer picture of how the tenant might behave in your unit.

3. Interview the tenant. Once all the paperwork checks out, it’s time to sit down for an interview. This gives you a chance to get to know the tenant better. Ask questions about why they’re moving, are they looking for a quick move and if so, what’s the reason for it, what they’re looking for in a rental, and what their expectations are. Pay attention to their communication style: do they seem responsible, proactive, and respectful? Try to push the more uncomfortable questions such as if they are avoiding eviction or non-payment from a previous place just to make sure that everything is sorted out. A good tenant will be open and honest in this conversation.

This interview is also a great opportunity to clearly explain your expectations, including rent payment dates, maintenance responsibilities, and your property rules.

Following these three steps can help you confidently choose a tenant who will pay on time, respect your property, and keep your investment protected.

If you’re unsure about the tenant screening process or need help managing your rental property, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out for a free consultation, and we can discuss how to set up the right systems to protect your rental business.