Florida Homeowner Association Tenant Screening
Tenant screening by a Florida Homeowner Association or a Florida property management company improves the safety and security of communities. The findings in a tenant screening report can identify financial irresponsibility including foreclosures, criminal records including felonies and misdemeanors, false identify information in the application or a history of disruptive behavior.
Florida Homeowner Association Fees
A Florida Homeowner Association can collect a fee for the tenant screening report. The fee for the tenant screening report is normally paid for by the applicant and is allowed as long as it is reasonable.
Credit Reports
Ordering a background check of prospective tenants enables the Florida Homeowner Association or Florida property management company to see detailed financial information, criminal records and verification of the person’s address, name, social security number and more based on the searches requested. The signed consent and disclosure authorizations by the prospective tenant, enable the background screening agency to order a full consumer credit report with full detail of their financial history.
FICO Score
Some tenant screening companies offer a credit summary but the summary does not contain the information found in a full consumer credit report. Not all credit reports contain a FICO Score. Ordering a credit report with a FICO Score provides a quick and simple reading of the report.
Fair Credit and Reporting Act
A prospective applicant must first sign a disclosure and consent form. The applicant receives a copy of their rights under the Fair Credit and Reporting Act. (FCRA). These consents are a legal obligation under the FCRA. Disclosures are required to perform a background check. A consumer report agency can supply these forms to the Florida Homeowner Association or Florida property management company.
Denying an Applicant
An applicant cannot be discriminated against based on race, religion or age (except for qualified 55 and over communities) under the Federal Fair Housing Laws. Depending on the governing documents, the applicant may be denied based on the findings of the background check. Tenant screening can empower those reviewing the application in a Florida Homeowner Association or Florida property management company to deny the application based on poor credit history or significant criminal records.
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