Founded in 1986 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Contemporary Information Corp is a long-standing provider of criminal records and tenant screening services for landlords, insurance agencies, and rental housing companies. Contemporary Information Corp maintains nearly 1 billion Fair Credit Reporting Act compliant criminal records and 30 million housing court records, delivering data through reseller partnerships, direct-to-end user screening, and consumer-facing services. Led by chief executive officer William Bower, president Ryan Green, and chief financial officer Sabrina Bower, the organization emphasizes regulatory compliance through its Regulatory Matrix Compliance Filter and active participation in professional associations such as the National Consumer Reporting Association. With decades of experience supporting informed rental decisions, the company understands how structured screening practices can help property owners avoid preventable mistakes.
Common Tenant Screening Mistakes
Every property owner wants to fill their property. But getting tenants isn’t the only goal. The tenants must also be reliable, trustworthy, and law-abiding. That’s where tenant screening comes in. Unfortunately, many property owners and managers either skimp on or skip tenant screening altogether.
A flawed tenant screening process attracts high-risk tenants. These are renters who will struggle to pay rent or put other tenants or the property at risk. Thorough tenant screening mitigates such risk by uncovering fake or invalid documents, false information, unauthorized subletting, and late payments.
Comprehensive tenant screening starts with clear rental criteria. Many property owners make rules as they go. This can lead to inconsistent decisions on whom to let in and who to turn away. A vague tenant policy exposes property owners to housing discrimination complaints.
A property owner or manager should be clear on what makes their ideal tenant. A clear tenant policy serves as a benchmark against which to objectively compare applicants. It also removes grey areas. In defining what makes a tenant reliable in terms of rent payment, for example, it’s not enough for a tenant to be employed. The policy must specify income requirements, a spotless rental payment history, and a minimum credit score.
A tenant’s ability to pay rent isn’t the only tenant screening criterion. Yet many property owners overly focus on it and overlook other factors. Take a criminal record, for example. Some property owners avoid background checks because they don’t know what to look for or how to use findings legally. Others decry its time-consuming nature or cost.
A criminal background check isn’t about ascertaining if a potential tenant has a criminal history. A comprehensive background check must consider the gravity, recency, and relevance of an offense. Blanket bans may unfairly discriminate against individuals with any criminal history. The Fair Housing Act and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide guidelines for conducting criminal background checks. Among the outlawed practices are denying someone housing because of their arrest record.
A background check may help avoid tenants with a criminal record. It, however, does not tell the whole story. Neither a criminal history nor its absence can predict a renter’s future behavior. Many property owners and managers, however, don’t interview potential tenants. They rely solely on third-party information.
Property managers and owners should meet and talk to potential tenants. One-on-one meetings, be it virtual or in-person, can reveal a renter’s temperament. Many States limit what a property owner or manager may ask a prospective renter. Protected classes include questions about religion.
A huge part of a thorough tenant screening process, and one that many property owners and managers overlook, is documentation. Poor record keeping means, in the event of a complaint, it’s the owner’s word against the complainant’s.
Property managers need to document every encounter with a potential tenant. This underscores the importance of tenant criteria. Property owners should be able to demonstrate and justify their reasons for admitting or rejecting a tenant. Documentation proves non-discriminatory reasons for rejecting tenants. It also protects property owners down the road should a tenant become problematic, and the former must take a drastic decision, such as eviction.
About Contemporary Information Corp
Contemporary Information Corp is a Duluth, Georgia-based provider of criminal and housing court records, serving landlords, resellers, and rental housing professionals since 1986. The company delivers FCRA compliant data supported by its Regulatory Matrix Compliance Filter and maintains active affiliations with organizations including the National Consumer Reporting Association. Under the leadership of William Bower, Ryan Green, and Sabrina Bower, CIC also supports community initiatives such as the Duluth Co-Op and international hurricane relief efforts.
