Evictions are one of the most complex tasks a landlord and/or property manager can undertake as a part of doing business in the rental market. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com urges all landlords and property managers to utilize third-party tenant screening company’s and states: “As the rental properties remain in high demand, now, more than ever, is the time to work with tenant screening companies, if only to understand the complexities of evictions.”
Evictions are a complicated matter and for landlords and property managers evictions are a key indicator to the potential success of a long-term tenant.
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “Understanding the past is critical in predicting the future of a potential tenant and understanding evictions is at the core of all tenant screening.”
Tenant screening is a process in which a rental applicant’s past is correlated through various public records and available references.
From realtytoday.com (Nov. 25, 15):
Tenant screening is a process conducted by landlords and property managers to evaluate if prospective tenants can fulfill the terms of the lease, and if they can take care of the property in question. The process typically involves collecting personal identifying information, including employment, credit records, previous realty standing, and criminal history. (1)
Almeida states: “The rental housing market remains extremely advantageous to the landlord as vacancies remain relatively low. But key in maintaining profitable long-term residents is tenant background checks. Evictions are important to understand but they can prove challenging.”
A woman moving to Washington State recently discovered that she “failed” an evictions check even though she had never legally been evicted.
From KIROTV.com (Nov. 17, 15):
… when she applied for an apartment after moving to Washington state, her tenant background screening gave her a “fail” for having a landlord-tenant court record. Some landlords immediately assume that was an eviction and deny housing, despite the fact that many tenants are never forcibly removed from their units. (2)
Tenant screening companies operate under the guidance of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA) and can only report evictions that occur up to seven years in the past. (3)
Almeida states: “It is important to note that eviction reports may not necessarily report convictions. Often times they will report eviction actions that are resolved without any additional court action.”
Utilizing a third-party tenant screening company not only has the access to all records pertaining to evictions but can save valuable time with the ability to check references, specifically those with previous landlords or property managers.
Experts suggest that contacting a previous landlord as the best course of action regarding a potential tenant.
From realtytoday.com (Nov. 25, 15):
…the best way to conduct tenant screening is still the old-fashioned way. “A very effective practice is calling the last landlord, who has no ulterior motive to give you a false positive. But of course, the only landlords who can do that are those who have the time and don’t depend on volume…” (4)
Almeida states: “As the rental market stays hot it is critical that landlords and/or property managers utilize third-party tenant screening companies to conduct all their tenant checks, but, perhaps more importantly, to thoroughly investigate eviction reports and claims in order to present the most accurate information available.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party tenant screening company whose highly trained staff can guide landlords and property managers through the various complexities of evictions and eviction reporting. Well versed in all aspects on tenant screening, TenantScreeningUSA.com can provide a highly efficient and cost-effective tenant check package for properties large and small.
Notes:
(1) realtytoday.com/articles/55374/20151125/tenant-screening-why-landlords-conduct-background-checks-before-accepting-offer.htm
(2) kirotv.com/news/news/never-evicted-still-failing-tenant-background-chec/npPpg/
(3) kirotv.com/news/news/never-evicted-still-failing-tenant-background-chec/npPpg/
(4) realtytoday.com/articles/55374/20151125/tenant-screening-why-landlords-conduct-background-checks-before-accepting-offer.htm
