Abstract: A system and method for identifying potential undesirable applicants for rental of properties, particularly residential apartments, and for increasing the collection rate for monies owed by defaulting tenants. The system and method may be provided by an entity which may also be a debt collection service and who maintains a tenant default database as well as a debt receivable database and screening reports database. Users of the system and method, such as apartment complex managers and other landlords, may make entries of irresponsible or defaulting tenants and make queries of applicants for apartment rentals or rentals of other property so as to avoid undesirable tenants. Data entry and retrieval may be carried out via a communications network, such as the Internet.