ScreeningWorks Credit Risk Definitions

Rental applicants that fall into our Minimal Credit Risk category typically pose little to no credit risk to the landlord.

Q: Do these candidates typically pay their bills on time?
A: By and large, these candidates pay their credit card, installment loan payments, and other bills on time. It is possible that a small percentage of these candidates have paid late once or twice, but this payment behavior does not typically pose a risk.

Q: Do these candidates typically have past due and/or unsettled debt?
A: On average, these candidates do not have past due and/or unsettled debt. It is possible that a small percentage of these candidates have a minor amount of debt owed (i.e. 2 collection amounts for $50 each, or 1 collection item under $100), however this small amount typically does not pose a risk.

Q: Do these candidates always have credit established?
A: Minimal Credit Risk Candidates may have no credit history reported to the credit bureaus.

Rental applicants that fall into our Elevated Credit Risk category typically pose a higher credit risk to the landlord.

Q: Do these candidates typically pay their bills on time?
A: Typically these candidates will show a pattern of late payments on their credit card, installment loan, and other payment obligations. We have found that this faulty payment pattern can lead to defaulting on rental payments. If you choose to accept Elevated Credit Risk candidates, you may consider requesting an additional deposit to off-set the risk.

Q: Do these candidates typically have past due and/or unsettled debt?
A: Yes, most often these candidates have a moderate amount of past due and/or unsettled debt. The majority of these candidates will have numerous amounts of debt owed to collection agencies, creditors and/or courts. If you choose to accept Elevated Credit Risk candidates, you may consider requesting an additional deposit to off-set the risk.

Q: Do these candidates always have credit established?
A: Elevated Credit Risk Candidates will have a credit history reported to the credit bureaus.

Rental applicants that fall into our Serious Credit Risk category typically pose a significant and immediate credit risk to the landlord.

Q: Do these candidates typically pay their bills on time?
A: Typically these candidates will show multiple patterns of late payments on their credit card, installment loan, and other payment obligations. We have found that these faulty payment patterns will lead to defaulting on rental payments. You may not want to accept Serious Credit Risk candidates, or request the maximum amount of deposit allowed.

Q: Do these candidates typically have past due and/or unsettled debt?
A: Yes, these candidates have a significant amount of past due and/or unsettled debt. These candidates will have numerous and/or recent amounts of debt owed to collection agencies, creditors and/or courts. You may not want to accept Serious Credit Risk candidates, or request the maximum amount of deposit allowed.

Q: Do these candidates always have credit established?
A: Serious Credit Risk Candidates will have a credit history reported to the credit bureaus.

There are some credit items that are known to not be indicative of rental payment behavior. As a result, the following items are filtered out of each applicant's credit report when determining their level of credit risk:

• Medical collection items
• Credit problems over 3 years old
• Credit problems with balances that have been paid off (excluding late payments)
• Closed/Discharged bankruptcies over 6 months old