Tenant selection is the single most important decision a landlord makes. A poor tenant can cost $10,000-$30,000 in unpaid rent, damage, and VCAT costs. A great tenant means 2-5 years of reliable income with minimal stress. Here is the complete 2026 screening framework.
The 5-Step Tenant Screening Process
Step 1: Application review (employment, income, rental history, references). Step 2: Identity verification (100 points of ID). Step 3: Income verification (payslips, bank statements, employment contract). Step 4: Database checks (TICA, Equifax, National Tenancy Database). Step 5: Reference checks (previous property manager or landlord — not just a personal referee).
Tenant Screening Platforms Compared
| Platform | What It Checks | Cost | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| TICA | Tenancy blacklist history | $9.90/check | Instant |
| Equifax | Credit history + tenancy database | $18/check | Instant |
| Snug | Full application + ID + references | Free (tenant pays) | 24-48 hours |
| 1Form | Application management | Free | Varies |
Income-to-Rent Ratio
The standard benchmark is rent should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a property renting at $600/week ($31,200/year), the household should earn at least $104,000/year gross. Always verify income with documentation — not just a number on the form.
What You Cannot Screen For (Anti-Discrimination Laws)
You cannot reject an applicant based on race, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. You can screen for rental history, income, references, and credit — nothing else.
Screen Tenants Smarter with Collings
The Collings self-managed landlord platform integrates tenant screening, application management, and reference checking into one dashboard. Join free at collings.com.au/portal
Find your next property with Collings
Track suburbs, get matched to on-market and off-market listings, and manage your whole property search in one place. Access the Collings property portal.
