New Federal Administration May Signal Potential Change in HUD Policies, Opines TenantScreeningUSA.com
Waltham, MA (PRWEB) December 20, 2016 -- With the results of the recent presidential election in the United States pointing toward a dramatic change in overall policy and direction, dynamic change may occur throughout all departments, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com, offers this opinion: “Any switch in leadership can mark a new direction in overall policy and with the transition from the Obama administration to one led by Donald Trump, policies in all departments, including HUD, could change and it is now critical that landlords and property managers are in fully compliance with laws governing tenant screening.”
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is mandated to the task of enforcing all laws governing housing, including those regarding the fair, legal, and lawful use of public records used as part of the new applicant screening process.
Almeida states: “HUD has been a dynamic governmental force in enforcing laws governing tenant background checks and, overall, protecting tenant rights. Recent legal activity has pointed toward an activist role in upholding law.”
Acquiring housing can be challenging to those with a criminal history.
From ReportingTexas.com (Nov. 11, 16):
Tenant advocates and legal aid lawyers say many landlords reject tenants based on their criminal history, without considering the nature of the crime, how long ago it occurred, or in some cases, whether an arrest led to a conviction. Applicants flagged through criminal background checks often are rejected without a chance to explain their situations. (1)
Almeida adds: “Under the Obama Administration HUD issued new Guidance and recommendations over the fair and lawful use of criminal records, and public records as a whole, in public housing which heavily influences the private sector as well.”
But with changes in the Presidency additional change could take place throughout the Federal government.
Almeida opines: “No one knows how Mr. Trump may change policy but the potential is certainly there for a significant shift in policy. At this point a best practice for any landlord and/or property manager is to be fully compliant and current with all laws governing the use public records and, especially, criminal records. If change is coming it’s best to be prepared.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party tenant screening company that can provide screening packages for landlords and property managers with property holdings large and small. A highly trained staff can assist in creating Tenant Screening packages that will keep landlords and property managers in compliance with current and potential laws and regulations.
Notes:
(1) reportingtexas.com/blanket-criminal-history-policies-create-a-rental-hurdle-for-thousands/
Dan Adams, Criminal Background Records, http://www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com, +1 (877) 811-6557, [email protected]
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