Clark County Rental Association

Consumer-Initiated Tenant
Screening Reports
Another benefit of membership in WAA

Current economic conditions place a great deal of strain on consumers and increase credit risk for landlords. Private landlords (independent rental owners) especially are vulnerable, given the challenge they face gaining access to quality tenant screening products. Consumer-initiated tenant screening products address this problem.

Traditionally landlords (end-users as described by the Fair Credit Reporting Act) undergo an extensive certification process prior to being authorized to order and receive tenant screening reports. The cost and inconvenience associated with the certification process make it difficult for screening companies to serve this large and growing segment of the rental housing market. Private landlords are often left with two bad choices – use of marginal products or not screening at all.

On October 1st 2009 the Washington Apartment Association (WAA) contracted with a Seattle-based consumer reporting agency to offer WAA members the industry’s first direct-to-consumer (DTC) comprehensive tenant screening product. It was developed in response to:

The need for a quality tenant screening product for independent rental owners.
The need for greater transparency in consumer reporting.

Landlord Benefits
Under the DTC model, consumers order reports on themselves. There is no need for landlord certification – membership fees, paperwork, site inspections, etc. The DTC model expedites the leasing process by making it possible for landlords to review reports when first meeting with applicants. Applicants pay screening fees directly to the consumer reporting agency. Denials are less awkward since they occur prior to the applicant paying an application fee or holding deposit. Applicants authorize secure access to the report via the consumer reporting agency to ensure authenticity.

Consumer Benefits
The DTC model puts consumers in control of their own information. Applicants know what is in their report before they apply. They have the opportunity to dispute information they feel is reported in error before it impacts their search for housing. They review their report with landlords up front to determine whether they qualify –before paying an application fee or holding deposit. They avoid paying multiple screening fees before finding a landlord who will accept them.

Consumer initiated credit inquiries are “soft” inquiries. They do not impact credit score – an added benefit associated with the DTC model.

There is growing discomfort among the general public and in state Legislatures regarding the impact the consumer reporting on those seeking rental housing. A common perception is that consumers are unfairly affected by unauthorized access or inaccurate information. The perception is, to a large extent, driven by the lack of transparency inherent in the traditional screening model – not withstanding protections contained in state and federal consumer reporting law. The DTC model addresses this by educating consumers as to what is in their reports and, ultimately, holding consumer reporting agencies accountable for the accuracy of their products.

For more information or details on this new benefit of WAA membership simply log on to the WAA website, www.waapt.org, find the link for My Screening Report. By clicking on the graphic you will navigate to a webpage that will allow you and or your applicants to learn all about this new product.

WAA benefits from each and every transaction that is initiated through the WAA website. (www.waapt.org) The revenue generated through this screening program is used to help fund the legislative activities of WAA as we continue to fight for your property rights in Olympia.