Trust on Every Job: How Lessen Screens Vendors to Protect Properties and Residents

Background Checks: A Growing Priority in Property Management

According to a study from RentRedi and BiggerPockets, nearly half of landlords say background checks are the most important part of the tenant screening process—ranking them above landlord references, credit scores, and paystub history. The survey of more than 2,100 real estate investors underscores how central background screening has become[VF1]  an essential part of property management.
And that emphasis is no longer limited to residents. Owners and operators are applying similar expectations to the third-party vendors and technicians who interact with their properties and residents.

The Hidden Risk of Unvetted Vendors

While tenant screening is often a standard part of property operations, vendor screening can be inconsistent or overlooked. Yet vendors are highly visible to residents and directly impact the overall experience and safety of a property. Without proper screening, property teams risk:

• Potential liability or insurance complications
• Resident dissatisfaction or safety concerns
• Reputational damage due to unprofessional conduct
• Limited transparency into who is completing work on-site

These risks become especially relevant as operators scale and need to rely on a large and distributed vendor base.

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Lessen’s Approach to Vendor Screening

Lessen partners with a national network of over 30,000 service providers. While these providers manage their own internal hiring processes, Lessen includes defined background-check requirements in its Master Services Agreements (MSAs) with vendor companies.

Here’s how it works:

• Contractual Background-Check Expectations All vendors who engage with Lessen are contractually required to perform background checks on their technicians. These checks typically include criminal history and professional license confirmation when applicable.

• Ongoing Compliance Lessen’s internal compliance team screens vendor candidates and maintains a curated network of qualified vendors.

• Audit and Oversight Lessen may conduct audits or spot checks in its discretion to confirm vendor adherence to contractual obligations, offering clients additional reassurance that screening protocols are being followed.

This flexible framework allows Lessen to support clients' risk management goals while accommodating varying levels of screening based on client needs and regional requirements.

What a Comprehensive Background Check Can Include

For clients requiring deeper screening, Lessen has the capability to support enhanced background checks through trusted partners like HireRight. These comprehensive screenings may include:

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Why This Matters

Partnering with vendors who lack proper screening processes introduces avoidable risks. By working with a provider like Lessen that enforces clear contractual expectations and offers customizable verification, clients benefit from:

• Safer, more professional service delivery to residents
• Improved accountability and vendor performance standards
• Reduced risk exposure and operational disruptions
• Greater confidence in vendor selection, especially across large or multi-market portfolios
• Lessen’s approach supports both scale and consistency, giving operators tools to meet high service expectations without sacrificing peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

As property operations evolve, so do resident expectations—and so must the systems supporting vendor oversight. Today, background checks are as important for third-party vendors as they are for tenants.

Lessen helps bridge that gap with a flexible, structured approach to vendor verification. Through clear contractual requirements, the ability to provide documentation upon request, and partnerships with industry-leading screening providers, we help property managers maintain safety, transparency, and trust, at scale.

Everyone benefits when the people representing your property are fully vetted, fully equipped, and fully accountable.

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