The Covid-19 pandemic continues to persist worldwide and within the USA. Because of this crisis guaranteed shelter to those unable to work due to the virus is crucial. However, even with eviction moratoriums the rent these renters will owe at the end may be too much debt to repay.
Millions of Americans struggle with the effects of Covid-19 as the pandemic continues to flare up across the country. Additionally, affordable housing remains a challenge, one that has a significant impact on families. Combine the two crises and the impact is tremendous.
In the early days of Covid-19 governors across the country were quick to implement moratoriums on evictions. Individuals and families who had income loss related to Covid-19 were protected. Combined with the supplemental unemployment income many families were able to survive these challenges.
However, the eviction moratoriums and supplemental unemployment ultimately came to an end. Renters were once again faced with the challenge of housing.
It’s not only the renters that are affected by the devastation brought on by the pandemic but landlords and property managers were hit hard as well, especially those managing smaller rental properties.
Recently the federal government announced a new, extended moratorium against evictions related to loss of income from the Covid pandemic. This action could cause additional challenges to landlords and property managers.
Renters would still be liable for any rent delayed by the federal moratorium, but the fact remains that landlords will be immediately hit with loss of income.
Yet, an important fact remains that even during a pandemic people will continue to rent.
With job loss due to the pandemic families are often uprooted as the search for viable employment can force relocation. More and more families are renting until they feel secure with new employment. And traditional moves will continue. Importantly, landlords must remain diligent with tenant screening during the Covid pandemic.
An important message for landlords and property managers is that risk mitigation and management remains the central importance of tenant screening. And despite moratoriums and changes in law and practice, tenant screening should remain consistent and thorough.
A typical tenant background check package should include Consumer Credit reports, Eviction records, Criminal Records History and a 50-State Sex Offender Registry Check. Also many landlords perform reference checks such as previous employment and personal reference checks. Combined these background reports and reference checks give a landlord a better understanding of their prospective applicant’s history both financial and character.
Understanding and verifying the information provided by a potential renter is key, and a thorough tenant check can provide verification. Working with a third-party tenant screening agency should remain a best practice.
Tenant screening is governed by a wide variety of laws, which are often confusing and complicated. Further, laws governing tenant screening can change quickly. Failure to comply with law could result in legal action, ones that may end with financial penalty.
A well-qualified tenant screening agency should be able to keep a landlord mindful of critical and important laws.
In the end, tenant screening should not change due to the Covid pandemic. In many cases the laws that existed pre-Covid remain in place.
In the end a best practice remains that landlords and property managers should work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency. They can provide the important data and information required to make a well-informed decision, in a safe and legally compliant manner.
To learn more about why landlords and property managers should continue to perform in-depth tenant screening during the Covid-19 crisis and how a professional tenant screening agency can help them remain compliant with new and existing laws read recent TenantScreeningUSA.com press release: Diligence in Tenant Screening Remains Critical as Covid Pandemic Continues; Opines TenantScreeningUSA.com