Are you tired of tenant-related headaches and endless screening processes? Finding the right tenant in Tenant Screening Saskatoon and Tenant Screening Regina can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it becomes a breeze. GoodDoors Property Management is here to introduce you to a seamless tenant screening process that ensures reliability and quality, safeguarding your investment in Saskatoon and Regina's competitive rental markets.
Our 4-Step Tenant Screening Process
Ensuring the reliability and quality of tenants is paramount at GoodDoors Property Management. We employ a meticulous 4-Step Tenant Screening Process to safeguard your investment and maintain the highest standards of tenancy.
Watch Our Process in Action: Gain a deeper understanding of our process by watching our tenant screening process video on YouTube.
Step 1: Credit Check
A credit check is the foundation of any thorough tenant screening. It reveals a prospective tenant's financial history and gives landlords a clear picture of how responsibly they manage their obligations.
When we run a credit check at GoodDoors, we look at several key indicators:
- Credit score: While there is no universal minimum, we generally look for a score that demonstrates consistent financial responsibility. A score below 600 often warrants a closer look at the full picture.
- Payment history: Late payments, collections, or defaults on previous debts can signal a pattern of missed obligations — and potentially missed rent.
- Outstanding debt load: A tenant carrying significant debt relative to their income may struggle to keep up with rent. We assess the debt-to-income ratio alongside the credit score.
- Bankruptcies or consumer proposals: These are not automatic disqualifiers, but they do require context. We consider how recent the filing was and whether the applicant has re-established positive credit habits since.
Step 2: Employment Verification
Consistent income is essential for meeting monthly rent obligations. During employment verification, we confirm that the applicant has a stable source of income sufficient to cover the rent — plus their other living expenses.
Here is what we verify:
- Current employer and job title: We contact the employer directly (not just a reference the applicant provides) to confirm they are actively employed.
- Length of employment: A tenant who has been in their role for several months or years presents less risk than someone in their first week on the job.
- Income level: We apply a general guideline of 2.5 times the monthly rent as a minimum gross income. For example, if the rent is $1,500 per month, we look for a gross monthly income of at least $3,750. This threshold helps ensure the tenant can afford rent without financial strain.
- Self-employed applicants: For tenants who are self-employed, we may request recent tax returns, bank statements, or a letter from their accountant to verify income stability.
Step 3: Landlord References
Past behaviour is one of the strongest predictors of future behaviour. That is why we contact previous landlords to understand how the applicant performed as a tenant in prior rentals.
When speaking with previous landlords, we ask about:
- Rent payment history: Did the tenant pay on time each month, or were there chronic late payments?
- Property condition: Was the unit returned in good condition at the end of the tenancy, or were there damages beyond normal wear and tear?
- Lease compliance: Did the tenant follow the terms of the lease agreement, including rules about pets, noise, guests, and subletting?
- Notice and move-out conduct: Did the tenant provide proper notice before vacating? Were there any disputes at the end of the tenancy, particularly regarding the security deposit?
- Would you rent to them again?: This is often the most revealing question. A straightforward "yes" carries significant weight.
Step 4: Background Check
The final step in our screening process is a background check. This step helps identify any serious concerns that the other three steps may not uncover.
A background check may reveal:
- Criminal history: While a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant, certain offences — particularly those involving property damage, fraud, or violence — are relevant to a landlord's decision-making.
- Eviction history: Past evictions are a significant red flag. If a tenant has been formally evicted through the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) in Saskatchewan, it suggests a serious breakdown in a prior tenancy.
- Identity verification: We confirm that the applicant is who they say they are. Identity fraud in rental applications, while uncommon, does occur.
Saskatchewan-Specific Screening Rules Landlords Should Know
Saskatchewan's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 sets out specific rules that affect how landlords can screen tenants. Understanding these rules is essential for staying compliant and avoiding costly mistakes.
No Application Fees
Under Saskatchewan law, landlords cannot charge prospective tenants an application fee or a fee for a credit check. This is a common practice in some other provinces and in the United States, but it is not permitted here. Any costs associated with screening — credit reports, background checks, reference verification — are the landlord's responsibility.
This is one reason many landlords in Regina and Saskatoon choose to work with a property management company. At GoodDoors, the cost of thorough screening is built into our management services, so owners do not have to absorb individual screening expenses out of pocket.
Human Rights Considerations
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination in housing based on protected grounds, including race, religion, gender, disability, family status, sexual orientation, and source of income. Landlords must be careful that their screening criteria do not inadvertently — or intentionally — discriminate against applicants on any of these grounds.
For example, you cannot reject an applicant solely because they receive social assistance, nor can you impose different requirements based on a tenant's family size or cultural background. Screening must be based on objective, tenancy-related criteria: ability to pay rent, rental history, and conduct.
Consistent Screening Standards
Applying the same screening criteria to every applicant is not just good practice — it is a legal safeguard. If a landlord screens one applicant thoroughly but waves another through with minimal checks, they open themselves up to claims of discriminatory treatment. At GoodDoors, every applicant goes through the same four-step process regardless of background.
Red Flags to Watch For During Screening
Even with a structured process, landlords should be aware of common warning signs:
- Reluctance to provide references: A tenant who cannot or will not provide landlord references may be concealing a problematic rental history.
- Gaps in rental history: Extended periods without a verifiable address may indicate undisclosed evictions or informal arrangements that ended poorly.
- Inconsistent information: If details on the application do not match what the employer or previous landlord reports, it warrants further investigation.
- Pressure to move in immediately: While urgency is sometimes genuine, a tenant who pushes to skip screening or sign a lease without review may be trying to avoid scrutiny.
- Income below the 2.5x threshold: A tenant whose income falls short of 2.5 times the rent is statistically more likely to fall behind on payments, even if their intentions are good.
How Proper Screening Reduces Evictions
The eviction process in Saskatchewan, administered by the ORT, is time-consuming and costly. Even in clear-cut cases — such as non-payment of rent — the process of filing, attending a hearing, and enforcing an order can take weeks or months. During that time, the landlord loses rental income and may incur legal costs.
Thorough screening significantly reduces the likelihood of reaching that point. By verifying income, checking references, and reviewing credit and background history upfront, landlords can identify potential problems before they become expensive ones.
At GoodDoors, our screening process has been refined over 600+ properties managed in Regina and Saskatoon since 2017. The result is a lower vacancy rate, fewer eviction proceedings, and stronger long-term tenancies for our owners.
What Makes GoodDoors' Screening Different
Many property management companies claim to screen tenants, but the depth and consistency of that screening varies widely. Here is what sets GoodDoors apart:
- Every applicant, every time: We do not cut corners for vacant units that need to be filled quickly. The same four-step process applies to every applicant, protecting our owners from costly placement mistakes.
- Local market knowledge: Managing properties across both Regina and Saskatoon means we understand the rental landscape in each city — typical income levels, seasonal demand patterns, and neighbourhood-specific considerations.
- Legal compliance built in: Our screening process is fully compliant with The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. Owners do not need to worry about inadvertently violating provincial regulations.
- Tenants are clients too: Our philosophy is that tenants are clients, not adversaries. A well-screened tenant who feels respected from the first interaction is more likely to pay on time, care for the property, and renew their lease.
Ready to Place Better Tenants?
If you are a landlord in Regina or Saskatoon and want to reduce your risk, shorten your vacancy periods, and place reliable tenants, GoodDoors Property Management can help. Our proven 4-step screening process takes the guesswork out of tenant selection and protects your investment from day one. Get in touch with us to learn how we can manage your property with confidence.
Disclaimer: This blog is not a substitute for professional legal advice. If you need further help, please consider hiring a legal expert or an experienced property management company based in Saskatchewan like GoodDoors Property Management.
