There can be legal ramifications from the get-go. ;’Applications need to be specific, but not too personal with the information requested. Would you design your own application, consult a real estate attorney to create the application for you, or use a screening service? Explain your choice.

Learning Goal: I’m working on a real estate question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

When you’re a property manager, screening applicants is an important part of identifying your future tenants. This discussion connects with the topic of the Realtor® Magazine article “Dos and Don’ts of Screening Tenants Legally.”

Reflect on this article (attached), then give your thoughts on these three questions. Here we go…

1. There can be legal ramifications from the get-go. ;’Applications need to be specific, but not too personal with the information requested. Would you design your own application, consult a real estate attorney to create the application for you, or use a screening service? Explain your choice.
2. Piggy-backing on question #1, would you create (and give) a document to applicants that explains your screening policy? Why or why not?
3. One of the points made in the article specifically addresses applicants with criminal records. Recent news headlines of federal, state, and local debates on “re-entry Programs” make this a hot topic. Do you believe there should be federal guidelines on this point or that this should be left to the owner/landlord to decide how they handle applicants with criminal records? State the rationale behind your choice.

Once again, the answers and justifications of them are based on your opinion. No judging here. Just looking to see the rationale behind them. Please control your words and rhetoric. Net etiquette, as always, is required in this discussion. Respect everyone in the class as you give your point of view.