Federal Compliance Laws that apply to tenant screening 

Standard FCRA laws will apply, as well as Fair Housing Laws. 

1. FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) – Landlords and property owners are required to use consent forms/adverse action forms during the applicant screening process. The FCRA is intended to assure that consumer reporting agencies (ChoicePoint/ScreenNow) and users of consumer reports (property owners) adopt reasonable procedures for the handling of confidential information.

FCRA Requirements:

· ScreenNow Tenant Reports will only be used for leasing / renting purposes

· Pre-Notification – Any time a ScreenNow Report is ordered for Leasing / Renting  Purposes, the property owner must notify the applicant that a background report will be requested from a consumer reporting agency (ScreenNow). 

· Before a ScreenNow Report can be purchased, property owners must obtain written authorization from the applicant.  Example consent forms are available on the “secure” ScreenNow website.

2. Federal Fair Housing Act - The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race or color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap, or familial status.  Regarding the sale and rental of housing, no one can, on the basis of any of the protected classifications: refuse to rent or sell housing; refuse to negotiate for housing; set different terms or conditions for obtaining housing; provide different housing services or facilities; or falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental.