Certn Tenant Screening

Certn Tenant Screening helps landlords and property managers screen rental applicants and staff. Recommended property-management checks include credit, references, identity, and employment verification; its listed capabilities also include criminal searches, income verification, and an adverse-action workflow. Credit reports use Equifax. The screening process is described as automated, and renters can submit credentials from any device through a platform Certn calls fully mobile. For high-volume screening, its API supports bulk sending and package creation. Certn lists built-in consent forms, SOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance, and encryption on AWS. It says stored data uses AES-256 encryption and data in transit uses TLS 1.2 or higher; its security listings also include SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The platform is hosted in cloud data centers in Canada, Australia, the UK, and/or the EU depending on region, and Certn says it does not operate on-premise servers. Listed one-time check prices range from £3 for Identity Verification to £53 for Criminal Record Check – Enhanced Level. The product is paid and has no free plan.

Certn Tenant Screening combines several applicant checks with mobile credential submission and bulk-screening API tools. Review the specific check prices and the cloud-hosting arrangement when assessing it for a property-management workflow.

It suits landlords and property managers who need checks such as identity, credit, employment, or criminal screening. The bulk-sending API may be relevant to teams handling higher screening volumes.

Certn Tenant Screening is a paid screening service for landlords and property managers checking rental applicants and staff. It is best suited to teams that screen regularly and can make use of bulk or API workflows. Its range of checks is useful, but individual check charges and source-dependent turnaround times make cost and timing important parts of the fit.

Overview

Certn combines automated screening with consent forms and applicant credential submission from any device. That is a sensible workflow for property managers who want applicants to submit information remotely; the API's bulk sending and package creation are more relevant to teams handling repeated or high-volume checks than to landlords screening only occasionally.

Security provisions include SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 reports or certification. Certn says it encrypts stored data with AES-256 and data in transit with TLS 1.2 or higher. Its cloud hosting is in Canada, Australia, the UK and/or the EU depending on region, with no on-premise servers. The service level agreement is to notify affected clients within 24 hours of becoming aware of a data incident, a useful commitment for teams weighing how screening data is handled.

Key features

• Applicant checks: Credit reports through Equifax, identity verification, references, employment and income verification, and criminal searches cover several common screening needs. The breadth is helpful when managers want multiple checks in one workflow, though each check can add to the per-applicant bill.
• Mobile submission: Renters can submit credentials from any device. This supports remote applications without requiring applicants to use a particular mobile platform.
• Bulk and API tools: The API supports high-volume screening, bulk sending and package creation. These capabilities favor operational teams; they are less compelling for a landlord with a small, occasional caseload.
• Consent and safeguards: Built-in consent forms and stated security controls address important parts of handling applicant data. Certn also describes its platform as top-rated for usability and support, though the practical value of that claim depends on a team's own workflow.
• Recruiting integrations: Certn lists integrations with Lever, Workday, Greenhouse, iCIMS, Ashby, BreezyHR, Fountain and SmartRecruiters on its ATS page. Integrations are included for clients, with setup support; these are more relevant to employers screening staff than to a rental-only workflow.

Pricing

Certn has no free plan. Its published prices are per check, rather than a single recurring property-management subscription, and larger-scale packages have customised pricing by contact. That structure lets a team pay for selected checks but makes total screening cost depend on the mix ordered for each applicant.

Every listed check is charged once, and larger-scale packages and customised pricing are available by contact. Identity verification is the least expensive listed check at £3, paid once; enhanced criminal checks cost £53, paid once and carry an 8–15 day turnaround. Verification times tied to source responsiveness can be harder to plan around, even when the team initiates within one business day. There is no free tier for occasional users to fall back on.

Platforms

Certn supports Android, iOS, web and API access. Cross-device credential submission is useful for applicants, while the API is the distinctive option for property-management teams automating or batching screening.

Who it's for

Certn is a stronger fit for property managers and landlords who need several kinds of checks and screen applicants or staff on a recurring basis. Its consent workflow, mobile submission and bulk API tools can support a more structured operation. A small landlord who mainly wants a free application or a low-cost one-off report should compare alternatives before committing to per-check costs.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Multiple applicant checks, including credit, identity, references and employment verification, can address varied screening needs.
• Pros: Mobile credential submission plus bulk sending and package creation through the API suit remote and higher-volume workflows.
• Pros: Built-in consent forms, named security certifications and a 24-hour incident-notification commitment offer concrete safeguards for sensitive screening data.
• Cons: There is no free plan, and published prices are per check, so screening multiple applicants or ordering several checks can raise costs.
• Cons: Some verification turnaround depends on source responsiveness, and enhanced criminal checks take 8–15 days.
• Cons: Hosting is cloud-based in specified regions, with no on-premise option, which may not suit organizations requiring on-premise deployment.

Alternatives

Tenant Screening Software and Background Check Software are useful starting points for comparing services in those categories.

• Rent With Clara is worth considering if a free landlord and agent plan with full platform features matters more than Certn's listed per-check menu.
• RentSpree may suit landlords who want a freemium service with a free trial and an annual-billed Landlord PRO option.
• Ayillo Tenant Screening is an option for teams preferring a workspace subscription, with a Core workspace at $49 a month, billed monthly per workspace, including the first 5 units.
• FrontLobby may suit landlords seeking a free basic membership with property and tenant-record management tools.
• ApplyConnect offers a free Property Operators plan with an Experian credit report, criminal background check and eviction history, and is worth comparing if those checks meet the need.
• RentSafe may fit property managers seeking unlimited applications on a free plan, with renter applications priced at $45 per adult applicant.
• SingleKey is an alternative for landlords wanting free lead pre-screening before viewings or a rent-guarantee option.
• SoftScreen is another freemium alternative for landlords and real estate professionals.

Verdict

Choose Certn if you manage recurring applicant or staff screening and value a broad set of checks, mobile submissions and API-based bulk workflows. Its strongest case is the combination of screening breadth and operational tools; look elsewhere if you need a free tier, predictable subscription pricing or on-premise hosting.