Property Care
- Recognizing and responding to maintenance concerns.
- Taking reasonable precautions to protect the property.
- Determining when to address issues independently or involve the landlord.
Screening is not available yet. This page explains the assessment approach and includes an unscored example. Current availability →
TENANTFACET BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT
More context. Better decisions.
Go Beyond Credit Scores.
Understand Rental Behavior.
Traditional tenant screening tells you about an applicant's history. The TenantFacet Behavioral Assessment adds another perspective: how applicants evaluate decisions and situations they may encounter while renting a home.
A behavioral assessment developed by assessment scientists and subject-matter experts.
The assessment at a glance
- 1Rental scenario
Consider a realistic situation.
- 2Evaluate possible responses
Consider each action independently.
- 3Five-point ratings
Rate how effective each response would be.
- 4Structured behavioral report
Review results across five dimensions.
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
Why a Behavioral Assessment?
Traditional tenant screening focuses primarily on an applicant's history. Credit reports, background checks, and landlord references can provide valuable information about past financial and rental experiences. However, they offer a limited perspective on how applicants evaluate and approach situations they may encounter during a tenancy.
The TenantFacet Behavioral Assessment was developed by assessment scientists and subject-matter experts to provide an additional source of information: how applicants exercise judgment when faced with realistic rental situations.
Drawing on established principles of psychological assessment, TenantFacet uses a situational judgment assessment (SJT) to present applicants with common rental scenarios and ask them to evaluate the effectiveness of different responses.
This approach offers several advantages:
- Goes beyond historical information: Examines how applicants evaluate potential actions rather than relying exclusively on past records or self-reported experiences.
- Focuses on rental-related situations: Uses scenarios involving property care, communication, responsibilities, lease expectations, and shared living environments.
- Provides a consistent assessment experience: Applicants evaluate situations using a standardized format and scoring approach.
- Captures differences in judgment: Examines how applicants distinguish among possible responses, including situations where several options may appear reasonable.
- Adds context to screening decisions: Provides structured behavioral information that landlords can consider alongside applications, references, and optional credit reports.
The assessment is designed to complement—not replace—traditional screening methods. It does not directly observe future behavior or guarantee particular rental outcomes.
FIVE DIMENSIONS
What Does the Behavioral Assessment Measure?
The TenantFacet Behavioral Assessment examines how applicants evaluate responses to realistic situations that can arise during a tenancy. It focuses on five dimensions of rental-related judgment.
Communication
- Sharing important information clearly and promptly.
- Raising concerns and seeking clarification.
- Navigating disagreements constructively and respectfully.
Follow-Through
- Managing commitments and rental-related responsibilities.
- Responding to obstacles, deadlines, and competing priorities.
- Taking appropriate action when circumstances or plans change.
Lease Rules
- Understanding and navigating lease requirements and property policies.
- Seeking clarification when expectations are unclear.
- Exercising judgment when rules are ambiguous or exceptions may be appropriate.
Shared Spaces
- Considering how individual actions affect neighbors and other residents.
- Navigating disagreements involving noise, parking, or common areas.
- Balancing personal preferences with shared responsibilities.
How Does the Assessment Work?
The TenantFacet Behavioral Assessment presents applicants with realistic situations they might encounter while renting a home.
For each scenario, applicants evaluate the effectiveness of several possible responses. Rather than selecting a single correct answer, they rate each response independently using a five-point scale.
Some situations involve straightforward decisions, while others require weighing competing considerations. This allows the assessment to examine how applicants distinguish among different approaches to common rental challenges.
EXPERIENCE THE FORMAT
Try a Sample Question
Scenario
Your landlord has scheduled a routine property inspection for next week. While moving furniture, you notice a small area of discoloration on the wall behind a bookshelf. The wall feels dry, and you haven't noticed any other problems. You're unsure whether the mark is old or indicates a developing moisture issue.
You have several other commitments this week and expect to be home when the landlord visits.
Instructions
How effective would each response be in handling this situation?
Rate Each Response
For each response, select one rating. Rate each response independently using the five-point scale below.
This is an illustrative question intended to demonstrate the assessment format. It is not a scored question from the operational assessment.
STRUCTURED INFORMATION
What Will You Receive?
Once the assessment is completed, TenantFacet summarizes the applicant's responses in a structured behavioral assessment report.
The report organizes results around the five dimensions, providing a consistent framework for reviewing how applicants evaluated the situations presented.
Understanding the Behavioral Assessment Report
The report includes:
- An assessment summary: An overview of the applicant's results.
- Dimension-level results: Information about how the applicant's responses were evaluated across the five behavioral dimensions.
- Descriptions of each dimension: Plain-language explanations of what each dimension examines.
- Guidance for interpreting results: Information to help landlords understand what scores represent and their limitations.
What Do the Scores Mean?
Behavioral assessment scores summarize the degree to which an applicant's ratings align with the assessment's established scoring approach.
Higher scores generally indicate greater alignment with responses identified as more effective within that scoring framework.
Scores do not represent probabilities of future rental outcomes. For example, a score of 80 out of 100 does not mean an applicant has an 80% chance of being a successful tenant.
The results provide an additional perspective to consider alongside other relevant screening information.
THE SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION
The Science Behind the Assessment
Built on Established Assessment Methods
Situational judgment assessments have been used in applied psychology to examine how people evaluate possible actions in realistic situations.
Unlike questionnaires that ask people to describe their own characteristics, situational judgment assessments present specific circumstances and ask respondents to evaluate possible responses.
TenantFacet applies this approach to rental housing, using scenarios developed around responsibilities and decisions commonly encountered during a tenancy.
Developed by Assessment Scientists
The TenantFacet Behavioral Assessment was developed by assessment scientists and subject-matter experts using principles of structured assessment development.
Its design emphasizes:
- Relevant content: Situations connected to responsibilities and interactions that arise during rental housing.
- Standardized administration: A consistent assessment format for applicants.
- Structured scoring: A defined approach to evaluating responses.
- Clear reporting: Results organized into understandable behavioral dimensions.
The assessment is intended to provide structured information about rental-related judgment. Its results should not be interpreted as established predictions of future tenant behavior.
INCLUDED IN BOTH OPTIONS
Add Behavioral Insight to Your Next Screening Decision
The TenantFacet Behavioral Assessment is included in both screening options.
Behavioral Screening
$14.99 per applicant
Includes:
- Behavioral assessment
- Automated landlord references
- Rental application
- Consolidated screening report
Complete Screening
$34.99 per applicant
Includes everything in Behavioral Screening, plus:
- Credit report and score
You choose who pays: The landlord or the applicant.
No subscriptions or ongoing commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the behavioral assessment take?
The assessment is designed to be completed in approximately 10 minutes, although completion time may vary.
Is the assessment a personality test?
No. Rather than asking applicants to describe their personality, TenantFacet presents realistic rental situations and asks them to evaluate the effectiveness of different responses.
Does the assessment replace credit or background screening?
No. The behavioral assessment provides an additional source of information. It is designed to complement other relevant screening information, not replace it.
Can the assessment predict whether someone will be a good tenant?
The assessment examines how applicants evaluate rental-related situations. Predictive validity for future rental outcomes has not been established, and results should not be treated as guarantees or predictions of tenant performance.
Do all applicants receive the same assessment?
TenantFacet uses a standardized assessment format and scoring approach to provide a consistent evaluation experience.
How should landlords use the results?
Landlords should review behavioral assessment results alongside applications, references, and other relevant screening information. Results should be interpreted consistently, with appropriate attention to the assessment's limitations and applicable housing requirements.
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