Privacy Concerns with Applications - Landlord Forum thread 321578

Privacy Concerns with Applications by Andrea on July 21, 2014 @15:05

I am a relatively new landlord with one SFH and have used this site for both great forms and advice. My near-perfect current tenants are moving, and I am in the process of showing the house and taking applications. However, I am running into a lot more resistance this year regarding the information on the LPA application. One couple refused to apply, calling the application "financially intrusive." They probably wouldn't have qualified anyway. Another applicant did not complete the part about loans/credit and refused to do so after it was pointed out (I disqualified her based on that, but she probably would easily have made the cut). I have also fielded concerns about how the info is secured.

Have any of you experienced similar pushback and how do you handle it? I can see the issue from both sides. I don't want to scare away any truly qualified people, but I am trying to do due diligence. Do you use the LPA application and, if so, have you experienced problems?

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Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Garry (Iowa) on July 21, 2014 @16:19	[ Reply ]

I have never seen the LPA application form, as I have one of my own from 20 years ago. So I don't know what specific questions it asks. However, ask yourself this question : would you be willing to fill it out completely about yourself, and give it to another landlord whom you have just met for the first time ? How about a friend or relative of yours ? Is the form more "intrusive" than what we as LLs would have to fill out to get a mortgage on a rental property ? I realize there is certain info we LLs need to make a decision about the applicant, but some apps go overboard on their questions. A simple solution is to just use "white out" through the questions you feel are not needed. Or you can make your own app using the LPA app as a guide.

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Katiekate (New York) on July 21, 2014 @16:20	[ Reply ]

Of course it is financially intrusive. How else will you know for certain that they have good credit, haven't skipped out on debt, been jailed, etc DUH I had a prospect tell me he never gives out SSNO or any personal information because he had to be sure to protect his Identity. I told him I never even consider a prospect who does not give me all that information because I had to be sure to protect my income and property Just ignore anyone who feeds you this "line". Let them try it out on some other sucker...not you Just tell them "good luck with that" and move on. These are people who have lots to hide...they hope to find someone dumb enough to let them move in...don't let it be you

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Lighthope on July 21, 2014 @16:23	[ Reply ]

Renting an apartment/house is the same as applying for credit. After all, you are relying on their word that they have the ability to pay and will pay. So you should be asking the same questions that any credit company would. If a tenant baulks, walk. They are hiding something. Lighthope Pearls of Wisdom - Enough chit chat, time is candy! - Pinkie Pie ("Luna Eclipsed" - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Anonymous on July 21, 2014 @16:23	[ Reply ]

Obviously, the ones who have a problem with the application are probably tenants you don't want anyway, but there are some legitimate concerns. If you're going to run their credit report (which will show you their outstanding debts), why is there a separate section for this for them to fil out? I don't see a need to have them fill this out unless you're trying to catch them in a discrepancy. And naturally, everyone wants to make sure their personal information is secure. As a business owner, you have the responsibility to secure their information and make sure it is never viewed by anyone who does not have the rights to see it. If you keep it in your house, it should be under lock and key. If it's stored electronically, nobody should have access to the files.

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by J (FL) on July 21, 2014 @17:05	[ Reply ]

Yes, I had someone recently come to see the rental. She wanted to know if her application would be shredded after she was approved/denied. I said "no" because if someone wants to make a legal claim against me I need to have that application as proof. She decided not to apply.

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Nicole (PA) on July 21, 2014 @18:15	[ Reply ]

... I did the credit check during the application stage but there after I did not keep SSN with me and I am not able to locate the credit report that was drawn couple of years ago... this is posted in a thread below. tenants are absolutely right to be concerned about private landlords who don't take their jobs seriously

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications

audit

Tenant Screening Red Flag #1 by Jean on July 21, 2014 @21:48	[ Reply ]

If any applicant wants to take possession of your property and feels that the LPA Rental Application (which is mild compared to most management company applications) is too invasive, tell them to try and borrow $50, from any reputable bank. See what they will ask for in their application. That kind if talk about financial privacy is Red Flag #1

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Anonymous on July 22, 2014 @14:29	[ Reply ]

This is easy. No information no rental. You need this information to make a good choice and if they balk at it there is something they are trying to hide and you don't want them. No info - no moving forward.

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by LM on July 23, 2014 @16:50	[ Reply ]

They have done you a favor by screening themselves out by refusing to provide info you request. That alone is a red flag. If you had given in, you have just empowered them to dictate what goes on from that point on. Also tells you they only want to deal with a landlord that is subpar.

Re: Privacy Concerns with Applications by Andrea on July 23, 2014 @17:37	[ Reply ]

Thanks to all that responded to this post. I value your opinions. I am very thorough when it comes to screening and, from a landlord perspective, have no problems with the info requested on the app. Interestingly, if I were the applicant, however, I think I might draw the line at the actual account numbers for loans and bank accounts. Last year, I tried to verify the info given as to bank balances, etc and was told by the bank that they couldn't give out the information anyway. I will continue on with this application and see how it goes. I think I'm pretty spoiled as my last tenants brought bank statements, W2, paycheck stubs and credit reports to the showing!! (Of course I did my own credit check, references etc too.) As for the applicant that wouldn't supply her credit/loan balances (under the guise of "you're running a credit check anyway" and "it's none of your business"), I politely explained that income is only half the story and that debt-to-income ratio is a better indicator of a tenant's ability to pay. Incredibly, she supposedly has a rental of her own with a deadbeat tenant in it. I also politely offered to release her from consideration since her application was incomplete. Even though she had a good landlord reference, I felt something was off with her. I haven't heard from her again and consider it a blessing.