Using screening criteria to make decisions about tenancy is a standard component of housing access. The criteria landlords choose to evaluate, and how these items are defined, matter for which tenants are selected to fill a unit. Many landlords defer to tight screening standards to limit their potential risk. Others defer to strict screening criteria because of a lack of evidence on which policies are most related to a tenant's ability to adhere to a lease. This lack of guidance creates serious barriers for potential renters who have any history of eviction filings, criminal offenses, or credit challenges, who are frequently screened out of a large majority of available rental housing. This brief highlights how some mission-driven property owners, operators, and stakeholders are using innovative tenant screening practices to reduce barriers to housing. These practices are relevant for all rental owners and operators as they seek to screen in tenants and create more equitable leasing decisions.
Authors
- Pages
- 13
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- Challenges for Housing Owners and Managers 1
- Creating More Inclusive Tenant Screening Practices 1
- INNOVATIVE PRACTICES TO REDUCING BARRIERS FOR TENANT SELECTION 4
- LIMIT SCREENING CRITERTIA 4
- Credit history and income considerations 5
- Eviction history 6
- Criminal history 6
- CLEAR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND EARLY EXPLANATIONS OF NEGATIVE DATA 7
- PROVIDE APPLICANTS WITH AN EXPLANATION FOR DENIAL 8
- PAIR REDUCTIONS IN SCREENING WITH SUPPORTS FOR LANDLORDS 8
- IMPLEMENTATION CONCERNS AND OPPORTUNITIES 9
- Use Regional Guidance 9
- Educate Property Manager and Landlords to Support Inclusive Tenant Selections 10
- Enforcement Concerns and Unintended Consequences 10
- Conclusion 11
- Notes 11
- References 11
- About the Authors 12
- Acknowledgments 13
