Questions:

• What's the best way for landlords to screen tenants?
• Are landlords or property managers allowed to pull a prospective tenant's credit report?
• Are landlords required to use written rental applications?
• What types of discrimination are illegal when choosing a tenant?
• What kinds of subtle actions might be illegal discrimination by the landlord?

Answer:

What's the best way for landlords to screen tenants?

Savvy landlords should ask all prospective tenants to fill out a written rental application that includes the following information:

• employment, income, and credit history
• Social Security and driver's license numbers
• past evictions or bankruptcies, and
• references.

Before choosing tenants, landlords should check with previous landlords and other references; verify income, employment, and bank account information; and obtain a credit report. The credit report is especially important because it will indicate whether a particular person has a history of paying rent or bills late, has gone through bankruptcy, or has ever been evicted.

To avoid trouble with fair housing laws, be sure to be consistent and fair in your screening. For instance, make it your policy to require credit reports from all applicants. For more information, see Nolo's article Choosing Tenants: Avoid Fair Housing Complaints and Lawsuits.