Tenant Screening, I am concerned about Fair Housing

[April Adams]

Happy Saturday Everyone,

I need help. I want to get legal assistance to make sure I am screening applicants properly. I am concerned about fair housing. I am in Los Angeles. I have contacted the Los Angeles County Bar Association but they seem to specialize in evictions. 

Does anyone know of anyone I can call?

[Scott B.]

So two suggestions:

1) Don’t do it. Use a professional property manager who is trained and liable for these decisions. Do not be involved in tenant selection unless you’re a professional who is willing and capable of taking on the liability. If you do this, you have literally no liability and nothing to worry about.

2) Ignoring #1, you need to set fair/legal criteria (understand if you can screen on felonies in your jurisdiction, for example) and apply them evenly. That means you offer housing to the first applicant who meets your pre-defined criteria. Check with an in-state/in-market attorney like Julie Anderson in KC.