---
title: How to read a screening report
description: How the report is organized, how status rolls up, and how to interpret the six checks.
---

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1. [Helpdesk](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base?hsLang=en)
2. [Operators](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en)
3. [Reviewing Screenings and Reports](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#reviewing-screenings-and-reports)

# How to read a screening report

## How the report is organized, how status rolls up, and how to interpret the six checks.

A completed screening brings together the results of the six verification checks for every person on the application. This article explains how the report is organized and how to interpret the overall status.

**How status rolls up**

Burnt summarizes results from the bottom up. Each person has a result for each check. Those combine into a status for that person. The statuses of all people combine into a status for the screening, and the screening status informs the application. When you are scanning many applications, the top-level status tells you where to focus. When you need detail, you open the screening to see each check.

![](https://help.burnt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-05-2026-09-39-37-7707-PM.png?width=670&height=475&name=image-png-Aug-05-2026-09-39-37-7707-PM.png)

**The six checks**

*Identity.* Confirms the applicant is who they claim to be, using a government identification document and related verification. See *Reviewing identity and document results*.

*Income.* Confirms the applicant income and compares it against the rent using your affordability standard. See *Understanding the affordability result*.

*Employment.* Confirms the applicant employment status.

*Credit.* Reports the applicant credit profile from a consumer credit source. See *Reviewing credit results*.

*Background.* Reports relevant records from background sources.

*Eviction.* Reports prior eviction records where available.

**The affordability result**

Affordability compares income against rent. In the current version, the income total is the sum of the primary applicant and any co-applicant. 

**Making a decision**

After you review the checks, record your decision. If you decline an applicant based on information in a report, you may have responsibilities under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. See *Adverse action and how to handle a decline*.

- [General](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Overview](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#overview)
    - [Security and Compliance](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#security-and-compliance)
- [Operators](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Units and Listings](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#units-and-listings)
    - [Rule Sets and Screening Criteria](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#rule-sets-and-screening-criteria)
    - [Inviting Applicants](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#inviting-applicants)
    - [Reviewing Screenings and Reports](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#reviewing-screenings-and-reports)
    - [Fees and Payments](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/operators?hsLang=en#fees-and-payments)
- [Applicants](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/applicants?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/applicants?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Completing Each Verification Step](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/applicants?hsLang=en#completing-each-verification-step)
    - [Fees and Receipts](https://help.burnt.com/en/knowledge-base/applicants?hsLang=en#fees-and-receipts)

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