The Relationship Between
Tenant Screening
& Investor Profit
An interview with
Carole Clinkscales,
Director of Marketing for
National Tenant Network
W
hat is tenant
screening?
Tenant or resident screening is the
general term used to describe the pro-
cess of obtaining relevant credit and
public record information by land-
lords and property owners in order to
better evaluate a prospective tenant.
The applicant’s personal information
is collected on the rental application,
along with an authorization allowing
the landlord to use this information in
making a tenant selection.
What are Fair
Housing Laws?
Fair Housing Laws are in place to pre-
vent discrimination in housing transac-
tions, including sale, rental or financing
of property. The Fair Housing Act
prohibits discrimination based on race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, fa-
milial status and disability. Should you
violate these laws as a landlord, whether
intentionally or accidentally, you may
be sued in Federal Court and ordered to
pay actual and punitive damages as well
as attorney’s fees and costs.
Why is it important?
Managing a rental property involves
a commitment to property mainte-
nance, record keeping, and above
all, selection of the best possible
tenant for the property. Selecting the
best tenant protects your investment.
Good tenants not only pay the rent
on time, but are the onsite stewards
for your property. If you select the
wrong tenant, you run the risk of loss
of income from unpaid rent, possible
property damage or liability for the
actions of your ill-advised choice of
renters.
Realty411Guide.com
How do I choose the best resident
screening company?
The best tenant screening companies are
PAGE 96 • 2014
nationwide in scope and offer an
experienced staff capable of answering
questions and recommending report
options.
The availability of obtaining a
“scored” report, such as National Tenant
Network’s
NTN DecisionPoint, will simplify
the leasing process. NTN DecisionPoint
reviews an applicant’s background and
produces an overall score, much like a
credit score, along with a corresponding
rental recommendation – both of which
are based on a thorough and objective
analysis of both the applicant’s credit
record and his or her history of evic-
tion(s) and/or lease violation(s). NTN
>
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