Protect Yourself From Discrimination Lawsuits....

Documented Criteria is Essential when Screening Possible Tenants

 
It is not only fundamentally important to screen possible tenants in order to protect your property, but how you outline your screening criteria can be essential to protecting yourself.

As a landlord, you need only accomplish one easy task, do it consistently, and you can avoid the headache and financial drain of this legal vulnerability.

Document your screening criteria. Though your criteria may vary greatly from another landlord’s criteria, all documented criteria should:

1.)   Comply with federal, state and local laws in addition to fair housing requirements. Information specific to Colorado can be found at: http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/identity_theft/CoConsCreditRepAct.pdf.

If you are not certain that your criteria are in compliance with regulations, be sure to have an attorney review the screening document and offer advice.

2.)   Depend on quantifiable and verifiable data to effectively eliminate personal views or unintentional bias.

3.)   Be written clearly with easily identifiable expectations

4.)   Include an effective date in addition to effective dates for any changes or additions made to the criteria.

5.)   Be IMPLEMENTED CONSISTANTLY. This is huge. Documenting the screening criteria is only going to protect you if you follow the criteria with every applicant.

As you outline your specific criteria, remember a tenant will only be accepted if they meet your criteria. Be comfortable with your standards. Know that they are in place for a good reason and be able to explain your reasoning to possible tenants.

RSI offers sample rental criteria to its clients.  Contact us if you would like more information.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rental Services, Inc. 2019 July Newsletter

Renting To Young Adults

Rental Services, Inc. September 2019 Newsletter!