It is becoming increasingly common for employees of software companies and management companies to be posted overseas for a few months and even for a few years. Instead of making money on the home by renting out the homes or condos, most employees are locking it up. The reason for this is that every one fears a bad tenant.

Tenant screening as well as background screening are services that can help an individual feel confident about renting out a home. Both processes are fairly simple and can be outsourced to any one of the background screening services.

However, as the process is fairly simple, home owners can choose to do it on their own.

The first step in tenant screening is to check conduct a background check of the prospective applicant. The background check will bring out details of applicant's credit situation, job employment details and past history. If home owners are not happy with details that appear on an applicant's background screening report, then they can move on to other applicants.

Tenant screening commences from the first conversation with the applicant. Often, the first round of screening can be done through the telephone. If a home owner is not happy with the details furnished by the applicant during the conversation then calling the applicant to view the home will be moot.

Home owners need to have a prepared set of questions to ask applicants as part of the tenant screening process. This way, the home owner ensures that he or she asks the same set of questions to every applicant.

The first phone conversation is also a good time for the home owner to clarify any details that arise out of the background screening. If the home owner is concerned about a credit report or any details that arise out of social security background checks, this would be the best time to clarify it.

At the first meeting of the applicant, home owners need to evaluate the prospective clients. Tenant screening during this stage includes evaluating the appearance of the applicant as well as evaluating the applicant's attitude and manners. For instance if the applicant comes in smoking a cigarette and you do not like to be around smoke then the applicant can be removed from contention at this stage of applicant screening.

Home owners who undertake to conduct applicant screening by themselves should have a rental application in place. This application should include the cost involved in conducting background screening and social security screening.

Home owners need to review and verify the application thoroughly and look for inconsistencies and "red flags". If the applicant sails through the entire screening process, then it is time to sign a new lease with the applicant.