Everything is up for grabs in the rental housing industry. More and more tenant protection laws are passing all of the time, and with each one, a landlord’s job gets a bit more restrictive, a bit more difficult, and a lot easier to get in trouble with the law. There’s too much to remember and to cross reference; how can you keep up with all the laws that say you’re allowed to do one thing in your state, but are actually illegal in your property’s county? A landlord needs a good way to protect themselves, and we have a few that can help.
Why It Is Worrisome
Everything is up for grabs in the rental housing industry. More and more tenant protection laws are passing all of the time, and with each one, a landlord’s job gets a bit more restrictive, a bit more difficult, and a lot easier to get in trouble with the law. There’s too much to remember and to cross reference; how can you keep up with all the laws that say you’re allowed to do one thing in your state, but are actually illegal in your property’s county? A landlord needs a good way to protect themselves, and we have a few that can help.
Why It Is Worrisome
Things move fast in the rental housing industry, and when they move, they move hard. Just recently, both California and Michigan began limiting the use, and access to, dates of birth. That’s a serious hamper on how a landlord can screen their tenants, but that’s not the biggest problem. If you live in Illinois, you may expect that you have the typical, everyday allowance when it comes to criminal background checks! But if your property is behind specific county lines, you could get in serious trouble. Just a short drive through Illinois to Cook County, and you are only allowed to make decisions based on three years of criminal background screening.
Things move fast in the rental housing industry, and when they move, they move hard. Just recently, both California and Michigan began limiting the use, and access to, dates of birth. That’s a serious hamper on how a landlord can screen their tenants, but that’s not the biggest problem. If you live in Illinois, you may expect that you have the typical, everyday allowance when it comes to criminal background checks! But if your property is behind specific county lines, you could get in serious trouble. Just a short drive through Illinois to Cook County, and you are only allowed to make decisions based on three years of criminal background screening.
So, as a landlord, does that mean you need to keep all those county lines drawn up in your head, and all the laws within them too? Do you need to constantly worry about county lines getting redrawn? Or perhaps that’s Plan B, and Plan A can be a bit more reliable.
Data Filtered For You
There are a lot of laws that can trip you up in this world, and a lot of mistakes that can get you in serious trouble. With most of the country having a standard seven-year rule when it comes to criminal background checks, even seeing a conviction that is, say, twelve years old, and denying said applicant could get you in deep water. This is especially true if that applicant decides you illegally denied them based on that conviction, simply because you saw it.
So, as a landlord, does that mean you need to keep all those county lines drawn up in your head, and all the laws within them too? Do you need to constantly worry about county lines getting redrawn? Or perhaps that’s Plan B, and Plan A can be a bit more reliable.
Data Filtered For You
There are a lot of laws that can trip you up in this world, and a lot of mistakes that can get you in serious trouble. With most of the country having a standard seven-year rule when it comes to criminal background checks, even seeing a conviction that is, say, twelve years old, and denying said applicant could get you in deep water. This is especially true if that applicant decides you illegally denied them based on that conviction, simply because you saw it.
ApplyConnect does have a tool that can prevent legal issues like this from happening: we can prevent you from seeing it in the first place. With ApplyConnect, when you input the property’s zip code as you send your invitation, we are able to filter the information you see, based on the tenant screening restriction laws in your county, city, state, and of course nationwide laws, that apply to that property. From there, your tenant’s screening report will display criminal and eviction information that you can legally base your final decision on. This allows landlords to view their applicants report in a safer manner than you might otherwise.
ApplyConnect does have a tool that can prevent legal issues like this from happening: we can prevent you from seeing it in the first place. With ApplyConnect, when you input the property’s zip code as you send your invitation, we are able to filter the information you see, based on the tenant screening restriction laws in your county, city, state, and of course nationwide laws, that apply to that property. From there, your tenant’s screening report will display criminal and eviction information that you can legally base your final decision on. This allows landlords to view their applicants report in a safer manner than you might otherwise.
Tenant Run Background Checks
In addition, ApplyConnect is a consumer-initiated service that allows your tenant to begin the background screening process. Unlike traditional tenant screening, which requires landlords and property managers to sign layers of contracts and go through an inspection, consumer-initiated background screening lets you get reports securely online, directly through your tenant. Your applicant benefits from non-traditional screening too! When a tenant shares their credit check, their credit score is not impacted. That’s something you can use to build your reputation as a landlord who cares and a better chance that they’ll leave you a good review.
It’s good to be wary when you’re screening your potential tenants. With laws always changing, you should be aware of the risk involved. It is hard to keep up when there is so much potential to get in trouble. On the bright side, we can try and help you out while the laws around the country shift on a dime.
Tenant Run Background Checks
In addition, ApplyConnect is a consumer-initiated service that allows your tenant to begin the background screening process. Unlike traditional tenant screening, which requires landlords and property managers to sign layers of contracts and go through an inspection, consumer-initiated background screening lets you get reports securely online, directly through your tenant. Your applicant benefits from non-traditional screening too! When a tenant shares their credit check, their credit score is not impacted. That’s something you can use to build your reputation as a landlord who cares and a better chance that they’ll leave you a good review.
It’s good to be wary when you’re screening your potential tenants. With laws always changing, you should be aware of the risk involved. It is hard to keep up when there is so much potential to get in trouble. On the bright side, we can try and help you out while the laws around the country shift on a dime.
One Reply to “You Need a Strong Way to Protect Yourself in the Housing Industry”
You always present good information. Thank you!!