Applicant Screening

 Once you set up a policy for registration, follow it. Some ideas may seem difficult or awkward to carry out, but with practice the process will become second nature.

 • Prepare written rental criteria and communicate it to all applicants. • Ask for two pieces of ID from each adult — Make sure that you see at least one photo ID per adult. Examples include: State issued drivers license or ID, military ID. passport, or INS Green Card. The second piece of ID could be a credit card, a social security card, or another commonly carried type of identification. Take a moment to look at the photo and see if it matches the person. Check the address and see if it matches the information of the registration form. When the prospect signs the registration form, check to see if the signatures match. • Keep a copy of the driver’s license, social security card, or other ID that is presented. Verify previous rental history and income. Check the applicant’s credit history. • Be consistent and use the same process to screen all applicants unless the applicant is disqualified before the application process is complete. • Watch for warning signs as listed in the section on WARNING SIGNS. • Post your rental criteria in the leasing office. • Establish criteria that discourage dishonest applicants from applying. Example: “We consider past criminal history.” • Consider using criminal history checks if possible.

Civil rights ensure that all qualified applicants feel equally invited to apply. State and federal fair housing guidelines prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, Family status, or handicap. Municipal ordinances may have additional protected classes.

Make sure the process is impartial — that it neither directly nor indirectly discriminates. To comply, you should design a fair process and apply it consistently and equally to all applicants.

If you discover the applicant falsified information on the application, you have grounds for denying their application, and with the right provisions in your lease, for terminating the tenancy. Blog