As beautiful as Orlando, FL, is, it still sees a fair share of crimes, with people here having a one-in-25 chance of being property crime victims. And unless you perform a comprehensive tenant criminal background check on your prospective renters, you risk renting out to someone who may commit such crimes.
To that end, we created this landlord safety guide with tenant screening tips to help you navigate the process. So read on, as what you learn here can assist you in making the right choice when selecting who to rent out to.
1. Understand Orlando's Fair Housing Laws
In Orlando, FL, landlords must abide by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Chapter 57 of the Orlando City Code. These laws make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against their prospective and current tenants':
- Mental or physical impairments and disabilities
- Color, national origin, and race
- Religion
- Familial and marital status
- Sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity
The FHA doesn't explicitly ban Florida landlords from conducting tenant criminal background checks. However, it provides guidance prohibiting them from deciding who to rent out to based solely on a criminal arrest. It also prohibits denying housing to anyone with a criminal record and performing inconsistent checks.
So, when running rental background screening checks, consider only convictions. You should also evaluate the crime's severity and how long ago it occurred.
2. Tell Applicants About the Checks
While you can legally perform criminal background checks, you must inform applicants about this part of your renter vetting process beforehand. You must tell them you'll run a criminal background check on them as part of your tenant verification steps. That helps provide more transparency, and you must get their consent before conducting background checks.
What if the check reveals the applicant is a safety and security risk? If so, you can deny the application. However, you must still inform the applicant of the reasons in writing.
3. Outsource the Process
Considering how complex fair housing laws are, it's easy for landlords, especially first-timers, to commit mistakes that can put them at risk of non-compliance. One of the most effective ways to avoid this is by seeking the help of property management experts.
Property managers provide comprehensive tenant screening services that comply with federal, state, and local housing laws. They also back their services with numerous guarantees. For example, you won't have to pay them until they find you a qualified tenant, and if they don't place one within 30 days, you can get one free month of management!
Never Skip a Tenant Criminal Background Check
As an Orlando landlord, it's your right to perform a tenant criminal background check. And you should do so, as it can help protect yourself, your property, other renters, and the community. However, remember that tenants have rights, too, so tread carefully and ensure you screen them fairly.
Our property management company, RightHouse Realty LLC, can help simplify the process. Our managers have over a decade of combined experience managing properties. Moreover, our company's owner, Timothy Schmidt, has 30+ years of financial service experience.
So, if you want to make your life as a landlord as stress-free as possible, call us today. We'll happily give you a free property consultation!
