Blog – Page 47 – Data Solutions for Rental Housing

December 29, 2017

Myths and Facts about Eviction Records

Evictions are an occupational hazard. To say the least, the word is cringe-worthy alone. Despite that sentiment, on the other hand, eviction records are notoriously useful.
Previously we myth busted criminal records and now we’re doing the same thing with eviction records. Test your knowledge by reading below and see if you can spot something new. You might be surprised.
MYTH: A SSN is needed to find eviction records.
Fact: CIC matches on name and the defendant’s address. When a landlord files an unlawful detainer the SSN is rarely included, thus that is not used directly.

December 29, 2017

Are Applicants Giving You Fraudulent Paystubs?

Creating fraudulent documents has become easier as technology has improved. With just a computer, printer, scanner and Photoshop software, fabricating fake paystubs can be done at home. Even online paystub services like stubsamples.com and speedystub.com generate paystubs based on the information put in by the user for an inexpensive fee.
While these services might seem like a good idea to applicants who are independent contractors, business owners, students and entrepreneurs (where providing income information for rental and credit applications is very difficult), those outside services are extremely relaxed on their requirements for accuracy. Paystub companies depend on the honesty of the person buying the income document and, while honest applicants do exist, no 3rd party verification is conducted.

December 29, 2017

Recent Rental Housing Legislation That May Affect Your Business

Recently there have been changes throughout the country that can affect the way your business must work with applicants during the rental screening process. If you are affected by any of these changes, be sure your policies are updated, or that you voice your opinion to oppose them before it is too late.

December 29, 2017

Scam of The Week Warning – Poisoned Web Ads

You need to understand something about poisoned ads on websites which might infect your computer. Here is the situation in a nutshell: Advertisers do not sell their ads to websites one at a time. Websites that want to make money sell their advertising space to an ad network. Advertisers sign contracts with that ad network which then displays the ads on the participating websites. The ad network sits in the middle between the advertisers and the websites and manages the traffic and the payments.
And there is the problem. Cybercriminals fool the ad network into thinking they are a legit advertiser, but the ads which are displayed on major websites are poisoned. If you browse to a page with a poisoned ad on it, that is enough to run the risk your PC will be encrypted with ransomware, which costs 500 dollars to get your files back.

December 29, 2017

Notify Applicants of Your Rental Decision Instantly

ApplyConnect®, the industry’s most advanced tenant screening solution for landlords and real estate agents, recently made enhancements to their users’ experience. The improved technology saves landlords and real estate agents time, allowing the tenant screening process to be completed faster and with improved security and protection for all users. This industry exclusive new feature gives the landlord or agent the ability to automatically notify the applicant whether or not they were approved for the property with an instant email decision.
After the landlord or agent has reviewed the tenant’s credit and background history and has come to a rental decision, they will now have the ability to notify the applicant of their decision immediately through the ApplyConnect.com website.

December 29, 2017

Myths and Facts about Criminal Records

You’ve gotten your potential tenant’s background check and stop mid-way to look it over. As you quickly glance at the clock in the corner of your desktop, you figure you can push lunch-time back just a few more minutes to get this taken care of. You absentmindedly gulp down your lukewarm coffee as your eyes skim the remainder of the report, mentally weighing whether to approve or deny this applicant. But as you see the criminal hits, you immediately question this applicant. If this has happened to you, you’re not the only one.
While criminal records may seem pretty straight-forward, there are a lot of common myths. From questions about “how far back can I check?”, “does this cover every jurisdiction?” to “should I automatically deny someone with a felony?” test your knowledge. Here are some common myths about criminal records.

December 29, 2017

How to Properly (and Legally) Destroy Documents

With the recent news that the Chinese government has breached the data of possibly 4 million federal employees, as well as the overwhelming amount of cyber-attacks committed in the past three years, it’s obvious that protecting your online data is imperative. But what about physical documents, like applications and lease agreements?
It’s safe to assume that you probably don’t have Indiana Jones’ level of security, but it’s not a bad idea to check that your physical security measures are as solid as the giant boulder that chased Indie’.

December 29, 2017

Managing Your Online Reputation

Reviews can Make or Break Your Business
With the digital age and the vast amount of online shopping options, many consumers rely on the aid of reviews. However, this doesn’t end with the consumer’s Amazon shopping cart, the reliance on reviews stretches out to the rental market. By using websites like Apartmentratings.com and Yelp!, potential renters are able to view honest opinions from current and previous tenants. Even apartment finding sites and social media pages like Apartments.com and Facebook allow your tenants to post reviews, and in turn decide to rent based on what they find.
Before you start fretting, remembering the potential purchases you’ve abandoned because of bad reviews, know that you can turn this to your advantage. With these tips, you’ll be able to enhance your reputation online and bring potential renters straight to your leasing office in no time.

December 29, 2017

Is Your Company’s Employment Application Going to Get You Sued?

There are a number of basic rights that every U.S. citizen is entitled to when they are seeking employment. These include protection from being denied employment based on race, color, religion, gender, and national origin. In addition to these there are gray areas such as age, familial status and sexual orientation which will likely be added with Federal protection at some point in time. What is clearly absent from these lists is language that protects citizens with criminal records from being denied employment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) seeks to change this.

December 29, 2017

Help a New Tenant with this Utility Checklist

Moving is difficult. There are rentals to tour and applications to be completed, boxes to pack, and furniture to transport. And when that’s all said and done, when the lease has been signed and the boxes have been moved in, exhausted renters are left to deal with the utilities. While figuring out who provides the electricity or the internet is painless when moving a few blocks away, for renters who move from one city to another or from one state to another state, this process is stressful.