Final answer:
During the screening and application phase of the rental process, the primary duty of a property manager is to evaluate tenant applications. They carry out background and credit checks to ensure potential tenants are dependable and responsible.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main thing a property manager does during the screening and application phase of the rental process is c) Evaluates Tenant Applications. This involves a thorough review of potential tenants' background, credit reports, rental history, and sometimes even a criminal check to ensure that they are a good fit for the property. The goal is to identify reliable tenants who are likely to pay rent on time and take care of the property. Other tasks such as collecting rent payments, showing available units, signing lease agreements, and handling maintenance requests occur at different stages of the tenant-landlord relationship.