NEWS

Renter's Bill of Rights' Impact on Real Estate Background Checks

Across the country, the rules and regulations governing the housing market vary substantially. A tenant’s experience trying to find housing in New York City can be dramatically different from the experience someone has in Kansas City. There is much confusion, especially when considering the requirements tenants face during the application process. However, one thing remains constant in almost every market: using a background check in real estate.

What Background Checks Do Landlords Do?

In most cases, when applying to rent an apartment, house, or other property from a landlord or property management company, a prospective tenant will need to agree to a background check. Landlords use these screenings to learn more about their applicants and make educated guesses about their risk and how the tenants suit the rudiments of existing renters.

New York City Limits Tenant Background Check Options

Over 750,000 people in the New York metropolitan area have a criminal record. That massive population means that the city is among the leaders in the United States for Fair Chance legislation. Advocates often point out that records create severe barriers to jobs and housing. A landlord using a tenant background check might deny many rehabilitated applicants with a criminal record.

Nationwide Housing Crisis Drives Controversy Over Tenant Screening

Many social systems are still struggling to recover and stabilize due to the economic measures intended to mitigate the impact of the 2020 pandemic. The housing rental sector has been particularly hard hit by these after-effects.

Breaking Down Cost Factors for Background Checks

For many businesses, conducting background checks is central to the hiring process. Employers may choose to consider many factors, from the accuracy of an applicant’s resume to job-relevant criminal history. Obtaining such reports can be a vital part of an organization’s risk mitigation efforts. However, these efforts aren’t free—and small businesses need to consider the impact on their budget. What are the main cost factors for background checks?

NY Landlords' Calls to Repeal the State’s Tenant Protection Act Fail

In mid-2019, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. The legislation contained numerous changes to state rental law. For example, security deposits became limited to one month’s rent. The rules surrounding eviction and tenant background checks have also changed. Initially, landlords pushed back against the law, which took immediate effect. Numerous landlords went to the media to argue for the immediate repeal of the law.

Revived Bill to Ban Tenant Background Checks in New York City Passes

Having a criminal record is often a significant barrier in life. For those trying to re-enter society, a record can close many doors. Even seemingly minor convictions can give pause to employers, landlords, and others. Though many think of how convictions create barriers to employment, they affect more than that. Housing opportunities can face a significant impact. For years, those impacts have been why the City Council has tried to ban tenant background checks in New York City.

A Look at ClearChecks

Fair Chance Housing Ordinances and Tenant Background Checks Update

If you are a landlord, it demands careful attention to the laws and ordinances in your local jurisdiction. Fair Chance Housing ordinances inspire regulatory measures in many parts of the country, some limiting a landlord’s ability to conduct tenant background checks. This post explores recent movements in fair chance housing and how landlords could approach the tenant application process.

Kansas Offers Free Background Checks for Childcare Providers

Kansas recently announced a decision to waive childcare license fees and provide free background checks for childcare providers. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing the accessibility of quality childcare services across the state.

California Cannabis Cafes: Staffing, AB 1775 & Employee Safety

California is about to change its cannabis industry with the launch of cannabis cafes, thanks to Assembly Bill 1775. This new law will govern these establishments, permitting cannabis use in a communal environment akin to the renowned coffee shops in Amsterdam.

ACLU Takes Aim at Landlord in Rental Fairness Dispute

A criminal record can prove a troublesome barrier to many necessities, from securing gainful employment to obtaining approval for decent housing. Because of the problems that often develop from those difficulties, state and federal lawmakers have passed a range of regulations intended to promote fairness and non-discrimination.

Background Checks Mandatory for Some NJ Healthcare Licenses

New Jersey's healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant change with the introduction of a new background checks bill (S2311/A1128) for healthcare licenses. This legislation, recently signed into law, has far-reaching implications for professionals, including applied behavior analysts, art therapists, dieticians, and nutritionists. In this article, we'll explore the details of this new law, its impact on healthcare professionals, and how it contributes to enhancing patient safety in the state.

Regulations on Tenant Screenings Worry Landlords

Across the country, access to affordable housing remains a pressing concern. Whether landlords create unfair barriers to housing remains a hot topic. Concerned about homelessness and high prices, local authorities increasingly act to expand housing access. That often means producing legislation that may directly affect how a landlord selects new tenants. Landlords claim these efforts harm their ability to operate safely and affordably. Advocates often argue that some landlords seek any excuse to deny tenants without appearing outwardly discriminatory.

The Guide to Real Estate Background Checks

Virtually every person will interact with the real estate industry at some point in their lifetime. Whether renting an apartment, shopping for a house with an estate agent or purchasing property, you will explore the unique property industry and the professionals who make it run.

Written Communication Essential in Real Estate Rental Background Check

Using a background check in the real estate sector is standard practice in the rental market. Landlords want to understand the individuals who wish to occupy their property, and some believe that a criminal record is a fundamental element to assess before signing a rental agreement. In conducting these checks, landlords may think they’re only exercising their rights — but those undergoing screening have rights, too.

Preventing Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace

Sexual misconduct in the workplace continues to be a serious problem across industries, even in the wake of anti-harassment trends such as #MeToo. For employers, this issue continues to represent a pressing concern. Misconduct in the workplace can cause real harm to employees, degrade the productivity of a business, and even invite legal repercussions for negligence if you do not take appropriate actions.

Do evictions show up on criminal background checks?

Applying to become a tenant may feel like putting your entire life on display, but depending on the state, consistent legal changes favor tenants per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Landlords often require extensive information from applicants, but landlords must protect their investments and communities.

What Can a Landlord Include in a Tenant Background Check?

There are several reasons for landlords to conduct background checks on every prospective renter. These checks can help determine whether a tenant will be respectful, safe, trustworthy, and able to pay rent regularly and on time. They can also help identify potential indications of a tenant’s predilection for violence, posing a threat to neighbors, or financial instability due to poor credit history.

The Debate about Tenant Background Checks

Should landlords be free to run tenant background checks and make decisions based on details such as criminal history? This question is central to a contentious, ongoing debate in the rental housing community.