The act of eviction has become an ever mounting challenge across the country for the last number of years. This challenge along with the recent shortage of affordable rental living and related rent increases has caused that challenge to grow much larger and subsequently has made the problem much more noticeable.
Many cities and states across the country face the challenge of eviction and the potential sister challenge of homelessness. Landlords and property managers have to deal with an emotionally charged issue, one assorted with numerous laws and regulations.
A best practice for landlords and property managers has always been to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency. With a highly trained staff of investigators, a tenant screening agency is tasked in staying current with all laws governing tenant screening.
The city of Cleveland Ohio is making a concerted effort in reducing evictions through the use of mediation and state and federal assistance programs.
From WDET.org (Nov 12, 18):
… a pilot program which was started under the watch of Judge Ron O’Leary, who oversees Cleveland’s Housing Court. It brings in social workers to screen tenants who come to the court. O’Leary says the goal is to see if the tenants are eligible for assistance through a variety of programs.
“We may see tenants who are seniors. We may see tenants who are veterans or who have some mental or physical health issues or substance abuse issues,” says O’Leary. ”The goal in screening the tenants is to see if there are resources available.”
That program made more than 1,500 referrals in 2017, and has almost reached that number already this year. wdet.org/posts/2018/11/12/87524-michigan-cities-face-eviction-crisis-here-are-some-solutions/
Another challenge tenants face with eviction is lack of legal representation.
From WDET.com (Nov 12, 18):
Unlike criminal defendants, tenants facing eviction have no right to legal representation. ibid
Cleveland works with a legal aid group to assist low-income tenants with legal representation.
Preventative practices are, ultimately, the key to reducing evictions.
There are several steps a landlord should go through during the vetting process of a potential tenant.
1. Tenant Check
A tenant background check can offer several reports drawn from public databases, both computerized and via a county courthouse.
A third-party tenant screening agency can help a landlord interpret data from a tenant check, especially criminal history and credit reports, the two key documents in a tenant check.
A criminal history report is commonly drawn from Last and Current County of residence. As an example, most Professional Tenant Screening Agencies have access to courthouses across the country to pull the most immediate and current information on an applicant.
2. Eviction Records
Eviction records are another critical component of the tenant check but one worthy of being highlighted.
An eviction record provides insight to a renter’s behavior. Certainly it would point to a conversation well worth having regarding a potential tenant’s candidacy.
3. References, personal and professional
References are an integral part of the vetting process. It is key to have any reference confirmed and as many references as available should be vetted. The most important reference is generally from the previous landlord.
In the end working with a third-party tenant screening agency remains a best practice. With all the challenges that come with evictions staying ahead of the curve is always the smartest approach.
To learn more about the ongoing eviction crisis in the USA and how landlords can reduce the potential for eviction read recent TenantScreeningUSA.com press release: Eviction Crisis: Solutions, Challenges, and Questions