Rent application - Landlord Forum thread 355294

Rent application by Billy (fl) on December 6, 2017 @12:36

Is it illegal to check sites like Facebook or other social sites to get a better idea of the character of a potential T. Sometimes the people the T hangs out with, tell a lot about what activities may come with a new T.
I don't discriminate as I had all type of people in my rentals. All applicants go through the same review. My application has a statement that say's by signing, the applicant is authorizing searches on social media sites as well as court house searches. As well as any persons they have named on the applications. And they acknowledge by there signature, that they have been given authorization by these people they have listed as references. To be searched by name.
As I am not discriminating by age, race, sex, children, disabilities, nationality.
I want law abiding, responsible, people to rent to. And not the folks who have numerous tickets, Criminal records, Past Evictions.
Do I have a right to be some what selective in people I would get along with.

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Re: Rent application by Garry (Iowa) on December 6, 2017 @17:10	[ Reply ]

As long as your app. says that by signing, the prospective T gives you the right to check out their social media sites, then you are OK. Many employers across the country do the same thing, when someone applies for a job. Some people don't get hired because they have posted on Facebook about using drugs or alcohol, or maybe have sexual pics or wording on them. But don't use a posting on social media as your ONLY reason for denying someone shelter. Try to find other reasons from checking out their backgrounds to deny them, such as their credit, criminal, job, or LL references.

Re: Rent application by Anonymous on December 6, 2017 @20:55	[ Reply ]

Actually, IMO, checking facebook or whatever is completely legal since it is posted for all the world to see for any and all reasons. There is no qualification, permission or restriction on viewing any public facebook page. That being said, if I found, and I have found, damaging information about a tenant, I would simply add it to their other disqualifications. I once found a prospective tenant bragging about her many evictions and how she lived rent free c/o some naīve landlords. She did not qualify for a number of reasons including FICO score.

Re: Rent application by Jill (Ohio) on December 7, 2017 @12:09	[ Reply ]

Social media is open to everyone. Just had to turn away a couple because the guy was smoking in practically every one of his fb and instagram photos. Also had a long video clip showing him getting ready for work while also smoking a joint. We have a strict no-smoking policy. He lied on the application and said he didn't smoke.