Newton Wed 4/3: Tenant Screening: How and What to Look For

[Jillian Campayno]

As we enter the spring rental market, it's time to remind ourselves of the importance of careful tenant selection to our bottom line. In this month's meeting we'll be covering tenant screening with three in-depth looks from three sets of speakers. The first two segments will be "how" and the third will be "what" to look for.

*Part I: Tenant Screening Refresher

We'll start by reviewing the list of protected classes and equal housing opportunity laws. Yes, you can reject the rental application of someone who's a member of a protected class. But no, you can't do so because of their being in that protected class. We'll cover federal and state protected classes, steering, and testing. We'll make sure everyone leaves the room understanding their obligations to ensure equal housing opportunity for all.

We'll then cover the "big three" tenant screening checks that landlords can pay for. These are in addition to the detective work we can do on our own. We'll explain how credit scores work, one easy source of criminal data, and one free way to check eviction records.

This part of the presentation will be given by MassLandlords staff.

*Part II: Criminal Records In-Depth

Criminal records have become both under-utilized and overly harsh in screening out rental applicants. We'll explain which kinds of data sources exist, what the data tells us or doesn't tell us about an applicant, and why we need to review criminal records on a case-by-case basis. Arrests and misdemeanors may not be housing relevant.

This part of the presentation will be a moderated discussion between staff and Jeremy Durrin, president of Background Examine.

*Part III: Landlord Q&A on Screening

We'll be putting three regular audience members in front of the room to discuss what they look for once they have a credit, criminal, and eviction history. We'll also be asking them about checking income, references, cosigners, residence history, and many other factors.

Have you seen our Charles River volunteer website? Market data available on rent levels for Waltham and surrounding areas. We encourage you to also take the poll on your current views of the rental market. Use the "Contact Us" form to request a login at crrha.org

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*Wednesday, April 3rd Charles River Meeting Agenda
-6:00pm Sign-in/Networking
Networking draws from Waltham, Newton, Weston, Watertown, Wellesley, Wellesley Hills, Lincoln, Dover, Arlington, Belmont, and the western ends of Cambridge and Boston.
-6:10pm Pizza and sodas provided
-6:40pm Executive Director Doug Quattrochi with the MassLandlords Business Update
Member Minutes - Any member can have the mic for 60 seconds (introduce yourself, ask a question, share words of wisdom, etc.)
-7:00pm Tenant Screening Refresher
-7:25pm Criminal Screening Discussion with Jeremy Durrin
-7:45pm Whole Room Discussion including Expert Landlord Q&A
-8:20pm Networking and small group discussion
-9:00pm Doors Close

*Location
Charles River Properties
382 Watertown St
Newton, MA 02458

*Food
Pizza
Soda, Water
Please feel free to bring a dinner that meets your dietary goals/restrictions

*Pricing
Open to the public. Membership is not required! Seating is limited to 25. If tickets are active, seats are available. This location credit card and check only.

Public: $15.00
Members: $10.00

Tickets at: MassLandlords.net/events