Final answer:
Typically, all tenants pay a screening fee individually to cover the cost of credit, rental history, and background checks during the application process.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of residential leases, a screening fee is a charge applied to potential tenants to cover the costs of checking their credit, rental history, and other background checks. The common practice is option b) All tenants pay individually. Each adult who will be on the lease typically must undergo this process, and therefore is responsible for paying their own screening fee. Property owners request this fee to ensure that they are selecting tenants who are likely to be reliable and financially responsible. There is no universal rule for this, however, and practices might vary depending on local laws and the landlord's policies.