At Tenant Screening Center, Inc., we know criminal history can be one of the more complicated parts of evaluating a rental application. Landlords and property managers have a legitimate interest in protecting their properties and the people who live there, but those decisions must also comply with fair housing and other legal requirements. A record… Read more »
Why the Right Questions Matter in Tenant Screening At Tenant Screening Center, Inc., strong tenant screening begins with asking relevant, consistent, and legally appropriate questions. A background check is not simply a formality. It is part of a larger process that helps landlords evaluate risk, confirm application details, and make informed leasing decisions. The quality… Read more »
As a landlord, one of the most crucial steps in the tenant screening process is obtaining a comprehensive rental history report. This report provides valuable insights into a potential tenant’s past rental behavior and helps landlords make informed decisions when selecting tenants for their properties. In this blog post, we will delve into what a… Read more »
Using criminal records to screen tenants is a complex and evolving issue that has significant implications for both landlords and potential tenants. On one hand, landlords have a legitimate interest in protecting their properties and ensuring the safety of their tenants, while on the other, individuals with criminal records often face barriers to finding housing…
With the decision in the case All of Us or None – Riverside Chapter vs. W. Samuel Hamrick, Clerk, California Superior courts have been removing the “date of birth” search fields in their online portals and public access terminals at the courthouses. This has severely impacted background screening. Often, the name is the only identifier… Read more »Why Criminal Records Checks Will Become Increasingly Difficult to Get in California
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in restrictions placed on the use of criminal records to make rental decisions. With the concerns surrounding COVID-19, many local and state correctional facilities have released prisoners early, and many of them will be searching for housing. Could previously those with criminal records become a protected… Read more »
Near the end of May, Cook County in Illinois approved a new change to how and when landlords are allowed to access criminal records while running tenant screening. While landlords are still allowed to inquire about a potential tenant’s criminal history, they are only able to do it as a second step to the screening… Read more »
When you’re renting out your property to prospective tenants, you already know it’s in your best interest to have some sort of tenant screening done in order to hedge your bets and make sure you’re matching the right people with your homes or apartments. Most landlords and property managers rely on a pass/fail credit check… Read more »
A background check for an apartment can include a national criminal background check, credit report, eviction history, and employment history. Specific landlords or property managers may choose to run one or all of these screenings and applicants will need to give signed consent to have a background check performed. Many apartment complexes require tenant screening… Read more »