Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

VTgrizz85 t1_iusui7v wrote

Reply to comment by Eagle_Arm in "‘I want my money back’: Rental application fees rampant despite Vermont’s prohibition" by CalicoFlannel

As a landlord, I get your point. We eat the cost of the background/credit check every time we turn over a unit. That’s why we do showings first, take applications, and call references before running those checks.

1

Eagle_Arm t1_iusvfem wrote

The cost isn't eaten. It's passed onto the renter at some point. Not $1K per unit, that hyperbole, but the money is passed on.

For your other comment, you can do all the leg work of references and calls beforehand or you can slap the easy dequal button and have people submit checks and then disqualify based on that data before calling references.

1

VTgrizz85 t1_iuti57h wrote

Which is exactly the point behind the law. It incentivizes the landlord to do the legwork before running the check.

1

Eagle_Arm t1_iutjcth wrote

It isn't an incentive though, there isn't something for the landlord to gain. It's a restriction. Don't get me wrong, I agree with app fees being bullshit, but if the referrals are good, but there is shit credit or bad background check, in a market like Burlington, the landlord will move onto the next applicant who for the most part is identical.

The result is just lost time. Not a big deal, but those hours or even a day to clear someone adds up.

That's why I'm saying find a new system like a mortgage pre-approval. It might not be the best idea, but just me shooting from the hip.

A renter gets a background/credit check and it generates a code tied to their license or ID number. That is good for however many days makes sense. I don't know how long someone usually looks for an apartment. Say 1-3 months. The landlord then logs takes that code and verifies it via the same system.

It's a one time charge to the renter for a duration of apartment hunting. Everyone has instant feedback without multiple reports, checks, or charges.

In theory, it should speed up the process because the process is occurring, but only occuring once for the duration of an apartment hunt.

2