"Tenant Fair Chance Act" aims to keep tenants in the loop about screening reports

Last week, New York City passed the Tenant Fair Chance Act.  If signed by the mayor, the law would require landlords and apartment brokers to tell applicants the company they use for resident screening, so the consumers can obtain their own copies and correct problems.

Local housing courts restrict the quality of landlord/tenant records that can be reliably obtained by screening services. A court record on a renter's file is a serious black mark and most landlords reject rental applications with a risky profile such as bad credit or a housing court filing. Matching court filings to credit files is tricky business; there is no centralized database and some filings do not include identifiers like a Social Security Number.

Some credit checks, however, take shortcuts, such as matching records using nothing more than a similar name and refusing to amend reports when consumers complain of errors or misleading files.

These tactics are understandably frustrating to renters -- and the inaccuracies should be a concern for landlords too.

At On-Site, we work hard to deliver the most accurate, timely information possible. Moreover, we offer a complete document management solution, so it's simple to stay compliant with changing laws like the Tenant Fair Chance Act.

On-Site is different:

• We invest in a wide variety of local and national data sources
• We build technology to eliminate "false positives" and other errors that other credit checks churn out
• We staff a dedicated Renter Relations department to address consumer disputes the same day
• We update your application materials and lease documents to make compliance easy

What NYC landlords need to know

This proposal does NOT affect your ability to screen out risky residents. However, it does complicate your paperwork.

1. Update your application forms. The name and address of your resident screening company should be clearly displayed.
2. Get to know your screeners' policies. How are consumer disputes handled?
3. Use a Denial Notice and Adverse Action Notice when appropriate. On-Site generates these forms automatically.
4. Advertise your fine print. Develop signage in your office about the resident screening service you use, and how to contact the company.

• housing court
• New York
• screening

• Jake Harrington's blog

The New York Times reminds us that 1 out of 5 computer users choose a dumb, popular password.

Some tips on creating a password that is easy for you to remember, but tough to crack:

• Use the first letter/number of each word from a phrase you know and can remember. For example, MyStreetNumberIs25 or TheDogsNameIsLulu.
• Look through the dictionary and find a word that is easy to remember but rarely used.
• Try the foreign translation of your name. For instance, Greenwood is Grunewald in German and Boisvert in French.
• Put two interesting words together, but type them in reverse, with a number between them.
• Buy a map of the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany or Belgium. Use the names of the towns as passwords, cross them off after a month's use and keep switching. You can even hang the map on the wall, and no one will ever realize what you're up to.
• Use your spouse's initials AND your anniversary, like TFB0602. (This guarantees you won't forget an anniversary card, either.)

• New York Times
• passwords
• security

• Jake Harrington's blog
• 4 comments

Fifteen-year technology veteran to deliver online leasing software firm's message to an expanding customer base

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phoenix, AZ -- As participants gather here for this year's NMHC Apartment Technology Conference, On-Site.com today announced that Michael Fortinberry has joined the company as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing. Mike will lead On-Site’s marketing, sales and customer-facing operational teams. A veteran in delivering technology solutions, he joins On-Site from RealPage, Inc., where he was President of the CrossFire division.

"I am delighted to welcome Mike to On-Site," said Jake Harrington, the company's Chief Revenue Officer. "Next week's conference is an appropriate venue to announce a technology pioneer coming on board. With our strong lineup of products, we are working hard to evolve On-Site into a solution driven company. Mike's experience and deep focus on customer success will be invaluable asset in this effort."

"We have great opportunities developing at On-Site to create world-class operational solutions for our clients," Fortinberry said. "I am excited about helping our industry make informed decisions around their software and services. Developing the best team of people we can and focusing on our client’s success will be my primary objectives."

Among Fortinberry's initial projects will be expanding the Rental Address™ product line to the broader market. "Rental Address™ provides an outstanding platform for management companies to distribute their marketing content online for critical lead generation," Fortinberry said.

On-Site is also expanding its flagship product that delivers online leasing to the apartment industry. Rental Express™ delivers online applications, specialized resident screening, lease and document management, as well as e-signatures. Fortinberry will aid On-Site's product development efforts in online leasing leadership. On-Site was voted the Top Resident Screening System in the Technology Choice Awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Harrington continued, "Mike understands how important it is for our clients to have solutions that work well together and will continue On-Site’s philosophy of putting those client needs first."

At RealPage, Fortinberry was responsible for a 200-person product division in Texas that developed marketing and sales software for multifamily operators. Before joining RealPage in 2007, Fortinberry spent three years at AIMCO, where he was named one of the industry’s top five executives under 40. A frequent speaker at industry events, Fortinberry has been interviewed by every major apartment industry publication to discuss marketing, leasing, payments and technology.

About On-Site.com

Founded in 1999, On-Site has grown to become the gold standard in the apartment business, with a track record of delivering next-generation technology in a solution that can be implemented today.

On-Site’s screening and document management tools provide powerful online leasing solutions, allowing clients to maximize occupancy, enhance quality control, maintain compliance and ensure consistent success at all levels of property operations.

Contact

Amy Maley at (650) 934-4151

• Michael Fortinberry
• new hire

• Jake Harrington's blog

The Wall Street Journal confirms the trend we already know: More would-be home sellers are becoming reluctant landlords, renting out the house they can't sell.

Another thing we know: Strong resident screening may be the single most important component of do-it-yourself real estate management.

We're here to help -- private landlords aren't alone navigating the maze of compliance hurdles, rental forms, credit laws, Red Flag Rules and ever-changing credit scores.

You don't need to be a professional property manager to need professional-grade tools like our specialized screening service. We built a painless enrollment process and simple interface especially for private landlords looking for the right resident. Getting started is now easier than ever, and your applicant's credit card can absorb the cost.

Reluctant landlords, we're your secret weapon!

• credit scores
• private landlords

• Jake Harrington's blog