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.
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