Recent legislative efforts in Minneapolis and Portland to change tenant screening laws provides foreshadowing to potential change across the country. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com opines: “With Portland aggressively moving to change tenant screening regulations, and Minneapolis not too far behind, landlords and property managers should be working with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain fully compliant with new and existing law.”
The cities of Portland and Minneapolis continue to lead the nation with potential changes to tenant screening and laws that govern use of public records; an effort that could lead to other changes across the nation. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com opines: “Any time there are potential changes to tenant screening landlords and property managers should take note; and when two large cities pursue similar legislative action landlords and/or property managers should work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain fully compliant with all law.”
Large cities and towns across the country face the continuing challenge of affordable housing, specifically with rental housing. Low cost housing is increasingly scarce and cities, such as Portland and Minneapolis, are looking for ways to allow tenants greater access. Subsequently, as these efforts arise landlords and property managers sometimes push back.
It is an ongoing challenge.
From the Minneapolis Star Tribune (May 31, 19):
Minneapolis City Council members are drafting a new ordinance that would limit how landlords use credit, eviction and criminal history to screen prospective tenants.
As city officials search for ways out of the affordable housing crisis, they are taking aim at a long-running point of contention in the housing debate: the tenant screening process. Housing advocates say the process does not give a full picture of an individual’s ability to be a good tenant.
But property owners say restricting their ability to screen tenants would prevent them from having enough information about potentially unsuitable applicants. (1)
Almeida adds: “Minneapolis is only the most recent city to review tenant screening policies as a means of easing challenges with housing, but as landlords and property managers know tenant screening can be an important tool in vetting potential tenants. If done fair and equal across all applicants, tenant screening can be successful in assisting landlords and property managers make a sound decision on candidates.”
Efforts to change tenant screening policy continue unabated in Portland, Oregon.
An article in wweek.com (May 22, 19) discusses Portland’s on-going efforts:
“This proposal also helps reduce barriers to housing for a population that has faced unjust obstacles in our community for far too long – those who have been incarcerated,” they wrote. “This ordinance uses research-based criteria to identify low-risk characteristics that would help former offenders obtain housing and not be perpetually punished for long-past offenses. This would help reduce the cycle of incarceration and homelessness for many in our community and help get people back in stable housing and on their feet again.” (2)
Almeida concludes: “In the end when larger cities, such as Minneapolis and Portland, work on change on tenant screening policy and law in order to resolve an issue that has spread across the country, property managers and landlords should take note. A best practice remains, now more than ever, to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to stay fully compliant with law.”
In the end Tenant Checks do not have to “break the bank.” TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party tenant screening company that offers affordable, thorough, and secure background screening for landlords and property managers. TenantScreeningUSA.com can create a tenant screening package unique to the requirements of rental properties large and small.
Notes:
(1) startribune.com/minneapolis-considers-limiting-landlords-ability-to-screen-tenants/510644802/
(2) wweek.com/news/city/2019/05/22/four-multnomah-county-commissioners-endorse-portlands-proposed-tenant-screening-and-security-deposit-ordinances/
