Nothing drains a landlord’s time, money, and energy faster than a bad tenant. Late rent, property damage, constant complaints, or worse a costly eviction can turn a rental property into a financial nightmare.

The good news?
Most tenant problems can be avoided with proper screening.

But in Maryland especially in counties like Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Howard County—screening tenants isn’t as simple as running a quick background check. Maryland has strict fair housing and screening laws, and one mistake can lead to legal trouble or discrimination claims.

Here’s the truth every landlord should know about screening tenants the right way.

1. A Credit Score Alone Doesn’t Tell the Full Story

Many DIY landlords rely solely on credit scores.
But a score doesn’t reveal:

• Rental history

• Eviction background

• Payment patterns

• Prior lease violations

• Employment stability

A tenant with a mid-range credit score but excellent rental history could be far better than someone with a high score but a history of disputes.

Better screening approach:

Use a full rental application that includes:

• Full credit report (not just a score)

• Income verification

• Landlord references

• Employment history

This creates a complete picture not a guess.

2. Income Verification Is Essential

A common rule of thumb is that tenants should make 3x the monthly rent.
But Maryland markets vary:

• Higher-cost areas in Howard County may require stricter thresholds

• Budget-friendly pockets of PG County may allow more flexibility depending on voucher programs

What landlords should verify:

• Recent pay stubs

• Employer contact information

• Bank statements (if needed)

• Independent contractor proof (1099s or client invoices)

A stable income is one of the strongest predictors of on-time rent.

3. Rental History Is Your Best Indicator

Talking with previous landlords is critical and often the most revealing part of screening.

Ask questions like:

• Did they pay rent on time?

• Did they take care of the property?

• Were there complaints?

• Did they give proper notice when moving?

• Would you rent to them again?

Be wary of tenants who refuse to provide landlord references or only offer “friends” as contacts.

4. Understanding Maryland’s Background Check Rules

Maryland has specific limits on what landlords can ask about or deny based on. PG County also has additional housing protections.

For example:

• You must follow federal, state, and county-level fair housing laws

• Arrests without convictions cannot be used against an applicant

• Certain screening criteria must be applied uniformly to all applicants

A small mistake even unintentional one, can open the door to discrimination claims or fines.

Professional property managers understand these laws deeply and apply them consistently to protect landlords.

5. Eviction Data Matters (But Must Be Used Legally)

Past evictions are strongly correlated with future issues.

However, Maryland requires careful handling of eviction records, since some case outcomes can be misleading.

What to look for:

• Repeated eviction filings

• Past judgments

• Nonpayment patterns

• Lease violations

Not every eviction filing is a red flag but patterns are.

6. Slow Screening = Lost Tenants

In fast-moving markets like Columbia or Laurel, tenants often apply to multiple rentals at once.

If your screening process takes too long, quality tenants move on.

How to speed things up:

• Use online applications

• Automate document uploads

• Use electronic background checks

• Communicate quickly

The faster the screening, the lower your vacancy.

Why DIY Screening Often Fails

Many landlords make the same common mistakes:

• Trusting “gut feeling” over data

• Skipping landlord verification

• Being too lenient with income or credit

• Delaying communication

• Not knowing Maryland/County fair housing rules

• Not documenting screening criteria

Bad screening leads to:

• Evictions

• Property damage

• Missed rent

• Legal issues

• High turnover

Strong screening protects your property and ensures stable, long-term tenants.

Let TBM Property Management Screen Tenants the Right Way

At TBM Property Management, we use a thorough, legally compliant, and highly effective screening process based on Maryland’s laws and best practices.

We help landlords in Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County get:

• Better-quality tenants

• Faster placements

• Lower risk of eviction

• More predictable rental income

• Less stress and fewer surprises

👉 Contact TBM Property Management or visit www.tbmpropmanagement.com today to get professional tenant screening that protects your property and maximizes your peace of mind.