Navigating the world of lease agreements as a tenant can sometimes seem a bit daunting, especially when both parties aren’t clear about their rights and responsibilities. Ever been in a rental housing situation in which you asked yourself, “Can a lease be voluntarily broken, and if so, can it be because of _______?” Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Tenants should consult with a qualified attorney or legal professional regarding their specific situation and any decisions related to breaking their lease ..read more

Applying to multiple rental properties has recently become that much easier for prospective tenants searching for their next home. While still a relatively new concept in the rental housing market, the emergence of reusable tenant screening reports (commonly referred to as “portable” reports) under California’s Assembly Bill 2559 and other similar laws enables tenants to apply to rental properties that have opted in to accept portable reports when applying to multiple properties at once. The report includes the same essential elements required for adequate tenant screening, such as credit his ..read more

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have united to inspect how background screening can impact American renters, with a particular emphasis on examining the use of criminal and housing court records and tenant screening practices. As part of a whole-of-government effort detailed in the White House’s January 2023 Blueprint, the FTC and CFPB are seeking public comment until May 30, 2023. We urge you to voice your unique industry perspective. What to Do Until May 30, 2023, the FTC and CFPB are requesting current tenants, prospective te ..read more

It’s no secret the relationships between tenants and landlords are sometimes portrayed as less than ideal, even to the point of one party painting the other in a cartoonish, sinister manner. Often, many of the instances that perpetuate ongoing stigmas about both are the result of simple misunderstandings or miscommunication. With an ever-changing landscape of legislation affecting property owners’ abilities to adequately screen their prospective renters, as well as the rights and securities of those prospective renters, both landlords and tenants generally seek specific and reasonable qualiti ..read more

A new year comes with a multitude of new things, and the rental housing industry is no exception. With the passing of California’s Assembly Bill No. 2559, effective January 1st, 2023, an existing consumer report ordered on a prospective tenant by the landlord whose property they’re applying to rent can now be redefined as a reusable tenant screening report.  So, what exactly does this mean? Simply put, an applicant’s report can be reused for the application process within 30 days of purchasing. The furnished report must comply with all state and federal laws pertaining to the use and dis ..read more

When you think of an emotional support animal, what comes to mind? It would be fair to assume the first thought to enter one’s head would be a dog, if not some kind of bipedal mammal — and most likely not a reptilian carnivore with razor-sharp teeth. In enters WallyGator: a five-and-a-half foot, 70-pound TikTok famous alligator with over 72,600 followers on the platform owned by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native Joie Henney. While it is legal to own alligators in Philadelphia, that isn’t the case in many other states — nor is it likely that the majority of pet gators, if any, qualify as emot ..read more

With inflation being a primary cause of the surge in construction material prices, contractors have put a strain on the supply and demand chain by hoarding necessary building materials to meet their business schedules. This, in turn, causes rising construction costs that affect the claims process in the event of a loss. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction material prices were up by 25% in 2021. According to the National Association of Home Builders, building materials prices increased 20.4% year over year and have risen by 33% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But ..read more

The so called “Pandemic Exhaustion” or “Pandemic Fatigue” is real enough that doctors are examining it, but there is good news. In 2022, we’re finally around the bend and getting back to the real world. That means normal renting, normal moving, and getting back to Work as it Was. What does the end of the pandemic mean for you? The so called “Pandemic Exhaustion” or “Pandemic Fatigue” is real enough that doctors are examining it, but there is good news. In 2022, we’re finally around the bend and getting back to the real world. That means normal renting, normal moving, and getting back to W ..read more

As a landlord, you know it’s important to try and be one step ahead. That’s why you screen your applicants, seek out reliable tradesmen before something on your property breaks, and look for solid insurance. You look to the future by keeping your eyes peeled on new laws that can affect you, your business, and the rental housing industry as a whole. A Focus on Rent Control As a landlord, you know it’s important to try and be one step ahead. That’s why you screen your applicants, seek out reliable tradesmen before something on your property breaks, and look for solid insurance. You look t ..read more

Last year, a California court case sought to redact date of birth information from court records and succeeded. The ruling added unnecessary barriers to the criminal background check process in your tenant screening, added another burden to landlords and tenant screening companies, and jeopardized the objective information housing providers rely on. A new Senate bill has been introduced to eliminate these obstacles. The 411 on California’s Criminal Record Restrictions All background checks rely on personally identifiable information (PII) like dates of birth (DOB) and social security nu ..read more