Public Records as supplement background check - Landlord Forum thread 360891

Public Records as supplement background check by Page on October 18, 2020 @18:06

Is it legal (in FL) to use publicly available information to contact previous LL's or employers not listed on the tenant's rental app and use that information to help make a decision on approving or denying an application?

For example, I want to contact the landlord of an applicant's previous address, which came up on the background check but was omitted from the application (for not being on the lease), to see if they can provide any insight. I Googled the owner (rental co) and found their phone number. Am I allowed to contact them without having the tenant's specific permission to do so?

I'm not paying for any information I obtain beyond the background check, so anyone could find this information.

The application says the tenant gives permission for the LL to contact "any or all landlord or employer contacts listed, by me, on this application". Not sure of the "listed by me" phrase rules this out.

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Re: Public Records as supplement background check by Robert on October 20, 2020 @10:32	[ Reply ]

Short answer is No. The unlisted rental company would probably ask for the release form. facebook, myspace,ect are open game. You can always just ask potential renter for permission.