Once you have determined that an individual is qualified to live in the community and all the proper documentation has been explained and signed, you should consider a meeting with the new resident. Use the Park Rules & Regulations as a briefing tool.
The Rental Application form provides the basic information needed to make a decision on accepting the applicant. Under current Oregon Law you will have not more than 7 days from application to accept or decline a prospective resident. Used properly, the rental application and personal interview will prove helpful in countering charges of discrimination in renting spaces.
Your "Screening Criteria" is another important document that should be provided to an interested applicant. This is the document that will determine where you draw the line between acceptance and denial. Your "Screening Criteria" is a written statement of the factors the landlord considers in deciding whether to accept of reject an applicant and any qualification required for acceptance.
As a community manager, you will normally be charged with accepting or rejecting prospective residents. This is one of the most important functions that you will perform as a manager of a manufactured home community. Done properly and effectively, the rental application and screening process will minimize potential problems in landlord - resident relations.
In order to comply with Oregon Law, and to provide accurate records, there are several forms that are to be completed when the applicant is accepted to become a resident in the community. These forms should be completed after you have reviewed the resident's application, and completed all background checks and tenant screening, but before the resident moves into their home.
By Terry R. Dowdall, Esq.
We all know that 80% or more of a community homesites must be occupied by at least one 55+ person, and that documented proof of age must be consistently required to qualify for 55+ status under HOPA. Let's not forget that the requirements also mandate the re-survey.
When the prospective resident returns a complete and accurate written rental application, you should provide the applicant the following:
A landlord may require payment of an applicant screening charge solely to cover the costs of obtaining information about an applicant as the landlord processes the application for a rental agreement. (ORS 90.295) This activity is known as screening, and includes but is not limited to checking reference and obtaining a consumer credit report or tenant screening report.