How to screen California tenants…
Screening prospective tenants in California is quick and easy with RealSerious.com. Simply provide the applicant’s name and email, and we’ll handle identity verification, obtain consent, and retrieve an official credit report along with a multi-state criminal background check.
No monthly fees – pay as you go.
California Tenant Screening You Can Trust
RealSerious.com understands the complex and diverse rental landscape of California, from high-rise apartments in San Francisco to suburban homes in Orange County. Our credit and background checks provide landlords with critical insights to make informed rental decisions while adhering to local and state regulations.
Featured areas include:
• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• San Jose
• San Francisco
• Fresno
• Sacramento
• Long Beach
• Oakland
• Bakersfield
• Anaheim
Our services are available statewide for landlords and real estate professionals in California, tailored to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of the local market.
What’s included in a California tenant screening?
Our tenant screening reports are designed to provide landlords with essential details about prospective tenants, helping them protect their properties and improve their chances of selecting responsible renters. Each report includes the following, where available:
• Credit Score & Factors (ResidentScore®)
• Reported Addresses & Employment
• Credit Card & Loan Payments
• Ch 7 & 13 Bankruptcy Remarks
• Returned Check Collection Accts
• Unpaid Utility & Landlord Collections
• Foreclosures & Repossessions
• Multi-State Criminal Records*
• National Sex Offender Registry
• Global Sanctions
See a sample report.
Turnaround Times: Most results are delivered within seconds after identity verification. Some may take longer (up to 1–2 days) due to common names, potential record matches, or local jurisdiction delays.
*DISCLAIMER: No tenant criminal background check is 100% complete. Coverage for our standard tenant screening may vary due to (1) jurisdictions limiting what records are eligible to return and (2) TransUnion and/or its partners limiting records that do not meet their data quality standards. As of November 2024, criminal records are available to return in the following jurisdictions that have a green dot in the “In Network” column below…
California Tenant Criminal Record Coverage
This information applies only to our criminal report included in our standard California tenant screening service. If a jurisdiction is not “In Network,” then it’s possible that if a criminal conviction occurred there, it may not be reported. Learn more about our tenant criminal record coverage across the rest of the U.S.
Search by county to see if it’s “In Network”
| State | County | In Network | Initial Clear Avg Turnaround Time | Potential Hit Avg Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | El Dorado | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Kern | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Los Angeles | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Orange | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Riverside | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | San Bernardino | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | San Diego | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Santa Cruz | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Shasta | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Alameda | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Alpine | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Amador | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Butte | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Calaveras | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Colusa | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Contra Costa | < 1 Hour | 2 Days | |
| California | Del Norte | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Fresno | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Glenn | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Humboldt | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Imperial | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Inyo | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Kings | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Lake | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Lassen | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Madera | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Marin | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Mariposa | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Mendocino | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Merced | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Modoc | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Mono | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Monterey | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Napa | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Nevada | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Placer | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Plumas | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Sacramento | < 1 Hour | 2 Days | |
| California | San Benito | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | San Francisco | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | San Joaquin | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | San Luis Obispo | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | San Mateo | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Santa Barbara | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Santa Clara | < 1 Hour | 2 Days | |
| California | Sierra | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Siskiyou | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Solano | < 1 Hour | 2 Days | |
| California | Sonoma | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Stanislaus | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Sutter | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Tehama | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Trinity | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Tulare | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| California | Tuolumne | 2 Days | 2 Days | |
| California | Ventura | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Yolo | < 1 Hour | < 1 Day | |
| California | Yuba | < 1 Day | 2 Days |
California Landlord FAQs
If you have additional questions, contact us. However, please note: We are unable to provide legal advice. For California-specific landlord-tenant law inquiries, consult a local attorney or legal expert.
Are California landlords allowed to collect an application fee?
Yes, California landlords can charge an application fee, but it is capped under state law. As of 2024, the maximum allowable fee is $60.77 and is adjusted annually for inflation. Landlords must provide an itemized receipt upon request.
Can California landlords inquire about an applicant’s criminal background?
Yes, but California landlords must comply with the state’s fair housing laws, including the “Fair Chance Act,” which limits when and how criminal history can be used in tenant screening. For guidance, landlords can consult resources from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
California Landlord Resources
Below are valuable resources to assist with legal guidance, housing laws, and more.
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
Provides resources and guidance on fair housing laws, including the use of criminal background checks and anti-discrimination policies.
California Courts – Self-Help Eviction Resources
https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-eviction.htm
Offers forms and a step-by-step legal guide for eviction cases.
California Association of REALTORS®
Provides training, legal resources, and market insights for landlords and property managers throughout California.
California Tenants – A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities
https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/California-Tenants-Guide.pdf
This guide, published by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, covers key laws and responsibilities for landlords and tenants in California.
California Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help