How to Screen Delaware Tenants…
Screening applicants for tenancy in Delaware is easy with RealSerious.com. Provide the person’s name and email and we’ll secure their consent to deliver a detailed credit report along with a multi-state criminal background check.
No monthly fees – pay as you go.
Delaware Tenant Screening Services You Can Trust
At RealSerious.com, we understand the rental market dynamics across Delaware, from urban apartments in Wilmington to suburban family homes in Dover and coastal rentals in Rehoboth Beach. Our services provide Delaware landlords with the tools needed to make confident, informed rental decisions.
Featured areas include:
• Wilmington
• Dover
• Newark
• Middletown
• Smyrna
Our services are available statewide to landlords and real estate agents in Delaware, subject to local regulations.
What’s Included in a Delaware Tenant Screening?
Our comprehensive reports provide landlords with the insights needed to protect their properties and select tenants with a higher likelihood of respecting their lease. Reports include the following details 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 reports are delivered within seconds after the applicant’s identity is verified. Some results may take up to 1–2 days due to common names, potential record matches, or local jurisdiction reporting 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…
Delaware Tenant Criminal Record Coverage
This information applies only to our criminal report included in our standard Delaware 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Kent | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| Delaware | New Castle | < 1 Day | 2 Days | |
| Delaware | Sussex | < 1 Day | 2 Days |
Delaware Tenant Screening FAQs
Additional questions? Contact us. Please note: We cannot provide legal advice. For questions specific to Delaware landlord-tenant laws, consult a local attorney or legal expert.
Are Delaware landlords permitted to collect an application fee?
Yes, Delaware landlords may charge a rental application fee to cover the cost of tenant screening. However, state law requires landlords to refund any portion of the fee not used for the screening process. More details can be found in the Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c055/.
Can Delaware landlords include criminal background checks?
Yes, Delaware landlords can include criminal background checks in their screening process. Landlords must follow fair housing guidelines and avoid discriminatory practices. For more information, visit the Delaware Division of Human Relations: https://statehumanrelations.delaware.gov.
Delaware Landlord Resources
Useful links for landlords and property managers:
Delaware State Bar Association
https://www.dsba.org/resources/public-resources/
How to seek legal professionals specializing in landlord-tenant law.
Delaware Justice of the Peace Court
https://courts.delaware.gov/help/landlordtenant
Learn how to file and defend a summary possession action.
Delaware Division of Human Relations
https://statehumanrelations.delaware.gov
Provides fair housing resources, discrimination complaint resolution, and landlord-tenant guidance.
Delaware Housing Authority
https://www.destatehousing.com
Offers rental assistance programs, resources for landlords, and housing market data.
Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c055