Across the country numerous changes to tenant screening laws should alert landlords and/or property managers to work closely with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency, such as TenantScreeningUSA.com, in order to remain fully compliant with existing and new law. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com opines: “Mid-year is often the time new laws get enacted and in 2019 this thought remains true; and should alert landlords and/or property managers to the urgency of remaining compliant with every changing law.”
Housing continues to be a challenge across the country and as lawmakers take up the challenge of housing changes occur with laws governing tenant screening. This attempt to manage and control rental housing may lead to confusion over the legal and lawful use of tenant screening documents. Subsequently, landlords and/or property managers should work with a well-qualified, third party tenant screening agency, such as TenantScreeningUSA.com.
In California State legislators continue to battle homelessness and affordable rental, two challenges that go hand in hand.
From the website of the Sacramento Bee, (Jul 01, 19):
One of the few remaining tenant protection measures still alive in the California Capitol became a two-for-one bill this weekend, after lawmakers amended rent cap legislation to include eviction restrictions.
The strengthened Assembly Bill 1482, which limits rent increases to no more than 7 percent plus inflation, now also prohibits owners from evicting residents under certain circumstances. (1)
Almeida adds: “Evictions have always been an important tool for landlords in managing their property. With changes to eviction laws, landlords must take greater care in managing their use of evictions.”
In Washington DC lawmakers are taking a different direction in managing rental housing and ease of availability by changing law to allow for expungement of eviction records.
From DC.Curbed.com (Jun 28, 19):
That could change under legislation proposed this month by Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh. As drafted, it would allow D.C. judges to seal or expunge eviction records in a number of circumstances, and it would also require them to seal all eviction records three years after an eviction proceeding is resolved in court. Cheh says the goal is to offer “long-needed relief to tenants” and help ensure that evicted renters can find affordable housing.
“An eviction is a permanent mark on a tenant’s record, harming one’s ability to find safe and secure housing,” she said during a June 18 D.C. Council meeting. “Eviction records can have devastating consequences for tenants. Landlords may charge a higher rent based upon the presumed risk posed by the tenant, or they may refuse to consider the tenant’s application outright.” The harms are acute for those who have experienced homelessness, Cheh added. (2)
Finally, and, perhaps, most importantly the State of New York has enacted a wide-range of laws governing tenant screening and housing. Just as changes in housing laws in Portland and Seattle can have broad reaching affects, changes to New York law can have a national impact as well.
From NewYorkTimes.com (Jun 21, 19):
Taken together, the new laws — on everything from evictions to security deposits to rent caps for residents of mobile homes — represent a significant power shift away from landlords and cement New York’s standing as a national leader of policies favorable to renters, of which there are 8.2 million statewide. (3)
Almeida concludes: “The citations herein are only the tip of the iceberg, regarding change to tenant screening laws, specifically the use of eviction records. A best practice remains that landlords and/or property managers should work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency, such as TenantScreeningUSA.com”
TenantScreeningUSA.com provides full service tenant screening products for landlords and property managers of any size and can greatly assist in remaining fully compliant with all existing law governing tenant screening. With a highly trained and experienced staff, TenantScreeningUSA.com can provide help to landlords and property managers with all tenant screening needs.
Notes:
- sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article232144507.html
- dc.curbed.com/2019/6/28/19102673/evictions-housing-landlords-tenants-court-rent-displacement
- nytimes.com/2019/06/21/nyregion/rent-laws-new-york.html?auth=forgot-password&referring_pv_id=dIQH-DKGXA6FRb4zPkgdy3ba
