How to Eliminate Bias in Tenant Background Checks

While some municipalities have taken steps in recent years to curtail how landlords vet prospective potential renters, tenant background checks are illegal in some places but legal, with restrictions, in others. For instance, in Portland, a landlord cannot use a felony conviction older than seven years to deny a tenant application. Misdemeanors may only be considered if they occurred within the past three years. Portland’s rules are more liberal than many other parts of the country. Still, a growing movement advocates more lenient tenant screening policies nationwide to eliminate discrimination and bias.

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.

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.