PM in California Refuses to do Criminal Background Check, Verify Applicant Occupation

[Tricia O'Brien]

I hired a PM in California in late March after my SFH rental became vacant because my tenant gave 30 days notice to vacate. She supervised some minor maintenance work and got a landscaper to clean up the yard and do weekly lawn service. The big problems began once she started advertising and screening tenants...she seems overly paranoid about Fair Housing laws and not diligent about tenant screening.

When I initially interviewed her, she said one of the things she does in her screening process is criminal background checks.   On the last 2 applicants, I noticed there was no criminal background check, only a search for "Filtered National Civil Court Records Search."  After I noticed this, I told her there's no criminal background check. She said "Yes, there is for 1 county, the county where the property is." After I insisted there was not, she called her screening company, www.Rentgrow.com, and they told her they have stopped doing all criminal background checks in California.  I asked her if she could do it through another organization, she said no but I'm welcome to find another agency to do a criminal background check myself, but I'd have to inform the tenant of this in advance.  

Then I had another problem that she doesn't thoroughly verify employment /occupation.   Someone applied who works at an outpatient surgery center.  Under "occupation" the applicant put, "Medical Records."  The PM is not willing to inquire as to if the applicant is a medical records clerk, a medical records supervisor, or something else.  Then, when an applicant puts down that they work doing In Home care, this PM is not willing to verify their state licensure as a CNA, LVN or RN.  She is only willing to call to verify that they work at "XYZ Surgery Center" (or wherever) and their rate of pay.

She sent me an excerpt that she says was lifted from a publication from "CA Dept of Fair Housing." Actually, she got the name wrong... the govt agency is "CA Dept of Fair Employment and Housing."  Based on her emails and texts and phone conversation, I feel like she doesn't understand the nuances or fair housing laws, and she is more concerned about avoiding being accused of a fair housing violation than in finding a quality tenant.

The property is in Stanislaus County California. It rents for $2200 a month and is a 3 bed/ 2 bath single family home.

What are your thoughts?  Thanks in advance :) 

[Drew Sygit]

The problem appears to be that the PMC doesn't want to prove anything to you.

While owners can ask some tedious questions, screening applicants is a big issue and so should be addressed appropriately. 

Here's a publication from the tenant's point of view, but still useful - showing your PMC appears to be inaccurate.

https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/20...