Recently Washington State legislation moved to reform housing policy which would include a universal renter application background screening form. They also moved to clearly define how evictions and potential evictions are noted. These actions could be a step toward broader changes across the country in regards to apartment rental practices. They also indicate the continual change in the laws governing tenant screening.
Annually cities, states and sometimes the federal government change laws governing tenant screening and further define the legal and lawful use of public records and consumer reports used in tenant background checks.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over the last several years has been bringing lawsuits to companies regarding their use of criminal background records in the employment screening process, particularly in the pre-employment screening process. These actions could be interpreted as a precursor of new actions by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Changes in the employment screening arena are now crossing over into the tenant screening arena as clearly shown by recent legislative moves such as that by Washington State.
Actions by the State of Washington show a greater interest in the tenant screening process. Combined with the federal activities by HUD one gets the sense that change will continue to affect the tenant screening process. Just as change continues with pre-employment screening change remains inevitable with tenant screening. Recent actions by HUD have already eliminated the use of criminal records, sometimes referred to as criminal histories, as a part of the vetting process for public housing. Often times actions such as these enacted by HUD migrate into the private sector.
The new Washington State bill if passed would allow courts to keep reporting agencies from disclosing evictions that were never completed or found to be unsubstantiated or without cause.
With all the changes and potential changes occurring in the apartment rental industry along with what tenant screening process is acceptable it is highly recommended that apartment owners, landlords and property managers utilize the background screening services offered by professional third party tenant screening companies. A tenant screening company keeps up with the laws in their industry and can help landlords stay compliant with all rules and regulations governing the tenant screening industry.
To learn more about the recent legislative moves by the State of Washington and their action to reform housing policy, as well as other factors pointing towards more legal action to come across the country to further define and recreate national housing policies read recent TenantScreeningUSA.com press release.