A recent report found that 2.2 million adults in New York have criminal conviction records. The large number of people with criminal convictions increases the chance of someone with a criminal record inquiring about your rental property. Thus, performing a tenant criminal background check is vital to protecting your rental property.
As a landlord, it is crucial to consider a tenant's criminal background check during the screening process. Ensuring your property's and other tenants' safety is a top priority. However, you must also stay compliant with New York's Fair Chance for Housing Act.
Learn how to balance tenant screening with compliance to keep your property secure and your business legally sound.
Protect Your Property
By carefully screening potential tenants, landlords can identify responsible individuals. These are people who are less likely to harm the property.
Less property damage means lower repair and maintenance costs. The tenant screening process aims to uncover red flags that signal potential problems.
A criminal background check should be part of the tenant screening process. It is one of the most effective landlord security measures.
Landlords have a duty to provide a safe living environment for all tenants. To fulfill this duty, a landlord may deny potential tenants who have a history of violent crimes.
Enhancing Rental Income
Criminal history verification enhances rental income by reducing the risk of eviction. A history of criminal activity can be a sign that the tenant is not reliable or trustworthy, making lease violations more likely. Lease violations can lead to evictions, increasing tenant turnover.
A landlord's marketing and tenant placement costs increase every time they have to find a new tenant. Landlords should look for stable and reliable tenants to reduce these costs and increase profits.
Compliance with Fair Housing Laws
The New York City's Fair Chance for Housing Act directly impacts how landlords handle criminal background checks during tenant screening. This law prohibits landlords from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until after making a conditional housing offer.
While this law may not impact your Wantagh rental, it highlights the importance of legal compliance. When running tenant background screening, Landlords should create a uniform standard that all applicants must meet.
When running a tenant criminal background check, a landlord must consider several factors. These include the nature of the crime and how much time has passed since it occurred.
The applicant's demonstrated rehabilitation is also important. For example, a single misdemeanor from a decade ago should have less impact than three felonies from a year ago.
Always Run a Tenant Criminal Background Check
Tenant criminal background checks are essential to protecting your property. Reliable tenants help you maximize profits and reduce the risk of eviction. Balancing this with the Fair Chance for Housing Act helps you stay compliant while securing your investment.
PMI Empire Solutions takes the hassle out of tenant screening. We offer professional services that protect your property and attract responsible tenants. Let us handle the screening process so you can have peace of mind.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can improve your tenant screening process and safeguard your investment.
