How to Perform Criminal Records Checks Without Committing Discrimination
Property Management
MHCO Article Topics
Applicant Screening
Phil Querin Q&A: Ex-Convict Returns to Park - Residents Outraged
Community Update
Question.Residents are concerned about the return of the son of a long-time resident who is being released from prison for burglary. His name is on a rental agreement for a home that he lived in with his parents.
9 Q&As ON CRIMINAL SCREENING POLICIES - (Part 4 of 4)
Property Management
Inaccuracies
Question: What happens if a community denies housing based on a screening report that contains inaccurate information about an applicant's criminal history?
Portland Gives Renters Win With New Screening, Security Deposit Rules
Community Update
MHCO.ORG Editor's Note: These new regulations out of Portland will only impact rental property inside the city limits of Portland. MHCO and Phil Querin will review MHCO Forms and make necessary changes in light of these new Portland regulations.
Review Your Criminal Screening Criteria
Property Management
Remove any ban based on arrests. The first thing to do is to check whether your policy includes any ban based on arrest records, Richer said. HUD's guidance clearly states that records of arrest should not be used to deny housing or terminate a lease.
Phil Querin Q&A: Applicant Has Criminal Background Concerned About Accepting as Temporary Occupant
Phil Querin Questions & Answers
UPDATE: Thanks to John VanLandingham for reminding me that pursuant to the recently enacted Senate Bill 970, ORS 90.303 was amended to provide that when evaluating an applicant for tenancy, the landlord may not consider: (a) A criminal conviction for possession of marijuana; nor (b) Possession of a medical marijuana card, or status as a medical
Conducting Background Checks - Criminal History Selection Criteria Best Practices (Part 2 of 4)
Property Management
It's also important to realize that there isn'tone source for information on all federal and state criminal records, said Richer, explaining what she considers to be the "biggest myth in resident screening." There is no single "national" database of criminal records available to screening company providers.
Legislature Bans Landlords From Using Prior Marijuana Convictions to Reject Renters
Community Update
By Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The Oregon Legislature has approved a bill that would bar landlords from holding minor marijuana convictions or medical marijuana use against prospective tenants.
Conducting Criminal Background Checks: Further FAQs & Follow-up
Property Management
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) bans housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.
Phil Querin Analysis - Senate Bill 970-A Summarized: Evaluation of Applicant, Unreasonable Condition of Tenancy/Occupancy, Subleasing Agreements, Cause of Action
Community Update
Just over a year ago a story broke on the Sunday front page of 'The Eugene Register Guard' about several elderly residents in a Eugene park who claimed to have been swindled by one or more persons affiliated with the park management. The community became the topic of discussion in legislative circles and the landlord-tenant coalition.