For Washington landlords
Tenant screening that's consistent, fair and on the record.
Tenant screening means holding every rental applicant to one published standard: credit, rental history, income and employment, and the background checks local law allows. At The Joseph Group, a Washington State property management company, those criteria are public and applied the same way every time. Owners get reliable residents and a process that holds up, and renters get a fair, transparent shot.
What's included
What a screening covers, and how it's decided.
Published criteria
Our rental screening criteria are public. Applicants read them before they apply.
Credit and income
A consumer credit report and verified income and employment, measured against the published standard.
Rental history
Rental history and eviction records, within what Washington and local law allow.
Background checks the law allows
Criminal and registry checks only where the home's city permits them. Seattle, for example, limits what may be considered.
A written decision
Every decision is documented, and applicants who are denied receive the written notice Washington law requires.
Then the lease
Approved applicants move straight to a Washington-compliant lease and a documented move-in.
Where screening protects your return
Screening is the cheapest protection a rental has. It pays off in four ways.
- 01
Rent paid
Residents who meet a clear income and credit standard pay on time, and on-time rent is the whole return.
- 02
Condition
Verified rental history is the best predictor of how a home will be cared for.
- 03
Turnover
Well-placed residents stay longer, and every renewal is a turnover you don't pay for.
- 04
Legal exposure
Inconsistent screening is how fair housing complaints start. One published standard, applied the same way, is the defense.
Fair housing and local rules, built in
The federal Fair Housing Act and Washington law prohibit screening on protected characteristics, and Washington protects more of them than federal law does. Washington also sets what must be disclosed to applicants and how a denial must be communicated. Seattle, Tacoma and Bellingham add their own rules: Seattle, for example, limits the use of criminal history in rental decisions.
These rules change, and they differ from one city line to the next. Our published criteria are written to them, and every applicant is measured against the same standard.
This page explains what we do, not legal advice. Specific requirements depend on the property's city and the current law.
Where we manage
Homes across Western Washington, mainly in six counties.
- King County
- Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kirkland, Kent
- Snohomish County
- Everett, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek
- Pierce County
- Tacoma, Puyallup, Bonney Lake
- Kitsap County
- Bremerton, Port Orchard
- Whatcom County
- Bellingham, Lynden, Everson
- Island County
- Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island
Local pages: Seattle · Bellevue · Edmonds · Tacoma · Kitsap · Whidbey Island
Questions landlords ask
What does tenant screening include?
Tenant screening typically includes a consumer credit report, verification of income and employment, rental history and eviction records, and criminal and registry checks where local law allows. At The Joseph Group, every applicant is measured against the same published criteria.
What are your screening criteria?
Our rental screening criteria are published at knowledge.thejosephgroup.com, so applicants and owners see the same standard before anyone applies.
Is your tenant screening fair housing compliant?
Our screening applies one written standard to every applicant and never considers protected characteristics under federal, Washington or local law. Where a city limits what may be considered, such as criminal history in Seattle, we follow the city's rule.
What happens if an applicant is denied?
The decision is documented, and the applicant receives the written notice Washington law requires, explaining the basis for the decision.
How much does tenant screening cost in Washington?
It depends on the service package you choose. Our packages are on the pricing page, and a free Right Price Promise assessment shows what your home can earn before you decide.
What will your rental earn?
Your free Right Price Promise assessment tells you how much rent your home can earn in today's market. It's the first number every good management decision starts from.
- Tell us about the homeThe address and a few details about the property.
- A Joseph Group advisor reviews itThey follow up by phone or email to talk through the home.
- You get your number and a planWhat the home can rent for, and how we would get it there. No obligation.
Get your free rental analysis
Start with your address. No obligation.