Every owner and manager offering residential property for rent should screen all applicants prior to renting the property. Written screening criteria will help rental property owners attract qualified applicants and quickly identify applicants who do not qualify. To avoid claims of discrimination, the same screening criteria should be applied to all applicants, and the first applicant to meet the criteria should be accepted. CAA recommends that owners have their written screening policies reviewed by an attorney prior to implementation. CAA provides a variety of resources to assist CAA members in complying with the fair housing and fair credit reporting requirements when screening applicants.
Resident Screening Services: CAA provides resident screening services at a discount through CAA’s authorized service provider. Credit reports, eviction search, criminal search and employment report are just some of the screening reports offered. Rental housing owners and managers may collect a screening fee from all prospective residents subject to provisions of the law. Call 800.967.4222 for additional information about CAA resident screening services.
Managing Rental Housing Reference Book: Provides valuable information regarding screening criteria, rental application screening fees, copies of credit reports, adverse action notice and other important screening topics.
Informational Resources: CAA’s online reference library allows members to access information regarding developing appropriate screening criteria, checking applicant’s credit, The Federal resident screening litigation, screening for criminal history, and the Federal Identity Theft Rule. Additional materials available include legislative briefings, updates on pending litigation and background papers on resident screening issues.
Resident Screening Information: Call 800.967.4222 to inquire about resident screening products, services and information.
Whether you have a rental home or multiple apartment communities, it’s important to screen your applicants. It’s money well spent when you consider the hundreds, even thousands of dollars you could spend evicting a troublesome tenant. Odds are, the tenant you may have to evict later has a history of non-payment or nuisance. Find out their history before you rent to them through proper screening of all applicants. Screening applicants today means more than running a retail credit report. For example, a retail credit report won’t provide you with unlawful detainer (eviction) filings and judgments. Spend a little extra money and be more informed about the person about to move into your rental property. Get a report package which provides you data about eviction history and retail credit information. Additional services may include a search of NSF checks, or criminal history.
Fair Housing Starts Here: Screen all applicants — don’t discriminate and only screen some applicants and not others. Fair housing practices start with the application process. To avoid the appearance of discrimination, use the same credit searches on all applicants. Consult with a knowledgeable fair housing attorney prior to incorporating criminal background checks into your screening process.
Fair Credit Reporting Act: Under this act, you are prohibited from obtaining a credit report under false pretenses; you are required to use credit reports for legitimate business purposes only; and you are prohibited from disclosing any information contained in the report(s) received. Please see the Service Agreement for more details.
Receipt for Resident Screening and/or Credit Checking Fees: Available from CAA – Form 3.5 (Receipt for Tenant Screening/Credit Checking Fees) or as a tear-off receipt on the Application to Rent (Form 3.0-R)
Rental housing owners and managers have the legal authority to collect a screening fee from all prospective residents. The law stipulates that:
On-Demand Class
Handling applications is a fundamental part of every rental housing provider’s business operation. The application process is the first interaction you will have with your new tenant, and it sets…
The class starts with an overview of how to market your unit, maintain your online reputation and write advertisement that comply with fair housing laws. You’ll learn leasing procedures and…
On-Demand Class
Checking credit is a pillar of the screening process, and for good reason. An applicant’s credit is part of the criteria used to evaluate whether they will pay the rent…
The California Assembly Judiciary Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that proposes new regulations on how landlords manage security deposits, while also aiming to implement new limits on tenant screening…
A bill recently introduced in California aims to change existing laws regarding tenant security deposits and screening fees. AB 2785 by Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City, introduces two key…
Each year, state law allows for a calculated increase in the amount collected from a rental property owner or their agent from a tenant-applicant to cover the cost of credit…
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, California landlords will have the option to provide receipts for tenant screening fees via email, but only if both landlord and applicant agree to it first.…
Take CAA’s Landlord 101 webinar — now available on-demand.
A state Senate bill introduced this year would prohibit most California landlords from using criminal background checks as part of the tenant screening process. The legislation, SB 460 by Sen.…
A newly introduced bill would limit a landlord’s use of credit reports when screening prospective tenants with Section 8 housing vouchers or other government rent subsidies. The bill, SB 267…
Amid opposition from the California Apartment Association, a state Assemblywoman has withdrawn a pair of bills that together would have placed new limits on tenant screening fees and required that…
Gov. Newsom has signed a bill allowing prospective tenants to submit reusable credit reports while applying for rental housing, although it’s up to landlords whether to accept them. The legislation,…
Since 2020, the California Tenant Protection Act, also known as AB 1482, limits the amount that most landlords in California can increase rents. This webinar will cover the rent cap…
Since 2020, the California Tenant Protection Act, also known as AB 1482, requires most landlords in California to have a “just cause” reason to terminate a tenancy or require a…
Developing appropriate screening criteria is critical for all rental housing providers. A rental housing provider who establishes appropriate screening criteria should find, more often than not, that they end up…
Protect Property Rights at the Ballot Box
The CAA Issues Committee supports state and local ballot measures that enhance housing providers’ ability to offer fair housing opportunities to renters.
