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Showing posts from December, 2013

THE SNOWBALL EFFECT…WHY NOT TO RUN ONLY ONE SCREENING REPORT

This time of year is financially tough on most people. As a landlord, you may be tempted to give possible tenants a break. By screening only one applicant (instead of each adult on the application) the screening fee is greatly reduced, but so then, is your security. This seemingly small moment of generosity quickly turns into an overwhelming problem. Let’s just look at the facts: If your possible tenant is having trouble paying a screening fee, they are probably going to have trouble paying you rent. If your tenants get to pick and choose who among them get screened, then it is very easy to hide a criminal record or bad credit. If you are selective about whom you screen and to what degree, you are opening yourself up to a possible Fair Housing lawsuit.   At RSI we advise all of our clients to screen each person over the age of 18 who will be residing on the property. That means that on any given application you would screen each person in a ma