>>>> Great Report – Now just $6.00 each
TargetSmart TM (Address History) is the first step in the tenant / resident screening process and acts as the foundation for a proven resident screening methodology, because it not only reveals identifying information – such as name and name variations, and date of birth – but also provides an accounting of resident history by uncovering current and former addresses. My report actually goes back 30 years. By cross-referencing addresses uncovered by TargetSmart, using 3.5 billion records, with addresses provided by the applicant, clients can order the appropriate criminal searches based on a minimum of the last seven years of address history. This methodology restricts applicants from omitting a place of residence where they may have a pending charge, arrest, or criminal record. This report is not a hit or inquiry on retail credit report. It’s also a great skip-tracing tool.
>>> Great Web Tool, New Chat Live Help
Our online chat server is now live on our web site. It’s a great way to communicate with our staff, ask any question you have, or report any errors or other problems. You will find a Live Chat button on every page at http://www.OnTargetScreening.com. If we are not available when you click on the Live Chat Button, please use the leave message feature so we can respond quickly.
To chat now, click or copy and paste this link into your browser
http://chat.ontargetscreening.com/livehelp.php?department=1
>>> Computer Tips that won’t cost you a dime
If your Windows PC or Windows Notebook is running slow, acting strange, or takes a long time to reboot simply follow the steps below to optimize your settings, disk drives, memory and programs. Please check with your IT department before loading any software on business or work PCs.
Step One
Run Microsoft’s free online Safety Scan at http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm. To start simply click the Full Service Scan button to start installing the program. We recommend staring the scan at night. I’ve seen time when the scan takes up to 8 hours to complete.
Step Two
Download and Install SpyBot – it’s free and recommended by Microsoft. SpyBot scans your computer and will remove spyware and some viruses. The initial scan should be started at night. Make sure that you apply the immunize option and manual check for updates on a regular basis. You may schedule a complete scan by using the admin option for settings. I recommend scanning your PC every week, and at night to speed the process and checking for updates monthly.
Step Three
Install Virus Protection. Did you know that most internet service providers (like Comcast, BrightHouse, AT&T DSL and ATT U-Verse) offer free virus protection software to internet customers. AT&T Yahoo currently offers McAfee Internet Security Suite for free. For more information, log into your account with your ISP or call customer service.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What types of housing discrimination are illegal?
The federal Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act (42 U.S. Code 3601-3619, 3631) prohibit landlords from choosing tenants on the basis of a group characteristic such as:
Race
Religion
Ethnic background or national origin
Sex
Age
The fact that the prospective tenant has children (except in certain designated senior housing)
Mental or physical disability. In addition, some state and local laws prohibit discrimination based on a person's marital status or sexual orientation.
On the other hand, landlords are allowed to select tenants using criteria that are based on valid business reasons, such as requiring a minimum income or positive references from previous landlords, as long as these standards are applied equally to all tenants.
What are examples of housing discrimination?
The Fair Housing Act and Amendments prohibit landlords from taking any of the following actions based on race, religion or any other protected category:
Advertising or making any statement that indicates a preference based on group characteristic, such as skin color.
Falsely denying that a rental unit is available.
Setting more restrictive standards for certain tenants, such as higher income.
Refusing to rent to members of certain groups.
Refusing to accommodate the needs of disabled tenants, such as allowing a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog.
Setting different terms for some tenants, such as adopting an inconsistent policy of responding to late rent payments.
Terminating a tenancy for a discriminatory reason.
Race
Religion
Ethnic background or national origin
Sex
Age
The fact that the prospective tenant has children (except in certain designated senior housing)
Mental or physical disability. In addition, some state and local laws prohibit discrimination based on a person's marital status or sexual orientation.
On the other hand, landlords are allowed to select tenants using criteria that are based on valid business reasons, such as requiring a minimum income or positive references from previous landlords, as long as these standards are applied equally to all tenants.
What are examples of housing discrimination?
The Fair Housing Act and Amendments prohibit landlords from taking any of the following actions based on race, religion or any other protected category:
Advertising or making any statement that indicates a preference based on group characteristic, such as skin color.
Falsely denying that a rental unit is available.
Setting more restrictive standards for certain tenants, such as higher income.
Refusing to rent to members of certain groups.
Refusing to accommodate the needs of disabled tenants, such as allowing a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog.
Setting different terms for some tenants, such as adopting an inconsistent policy of responding to late rent payments.
Terminating a tenancy for a discriminatory reason.
Cool Resident Screening Tool
TargetSmart TM is the first step in tenant / resident screening and acts as the foundation for a proven resident screening methodology, because it not only reveals identifying information – such as name and name variations, and date of birth – but also provides an accounting of resident history by uncovering current and former addresses.
By cross-referencing addresses uncovered by TargetSmart, using 3.5 billion records, with addresses provided by the applicant clients can order the appropriate criminal searches based on a minimum of the last seven years of address history. This methodology restricts applicants from omitting a place of residence where they may have a pending charge, arrest, or criminal record.
TargetSmart TM is also a great skip-tracing tool.
By cross-referencing addresses uncovered by TargetSmart, using 3.5 billion records, with addresses provided by the applicant clients can order the appropriate criminal searches based on a minimum of the last seven years of address history. This methodology restricts applicants from omitting a place of residence where they may have a pending charge, arrest, or criminal record.
TargetSmart TM is also a great skip-tracing tool.
Credit Bureau Required Credentials
The existing federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) has always required credit-reporting agencies and tenant-screening companies to make every responsible effort to verify that customers who wish to purchase retail credit reports have a legitimate purpose for doing so. Both the credit bureaus and companies who are resellers of the bureaus’ data are responsible for compliance.
Experian, TransUnion and Equifax have instituted more stringent regulations in regard to qualifying customers who wish to receive retail credit reports or information from these reports from tenant and employment screening companies. The new requirements are intended to help combat credit fraud and identity theft. All companies which sell retail credit reports are required to qualify customers and any company not in compliance with the new rules will be denied access to retail credit reports.
These rules do not restrict credit report access to any specific real estate owner, investors or managers, nor do they govern access to anything other than retail credit reports. All other types of screening reports will remain available to customers. Screening companies also may continue to sell credit reports and credit report information, but only to those fully qualified under the new regulations.
Specific requirements of each credit bureau vary and their main similarities are as follows:
Experian, TransUnion and Equifax have instituted more stringent regulations in regard to qualifying customers who wish to receive retail credit reports or information from these reports from tenant and employment screening companies. The new requirements are intended to help combat credit fraud and identity theft. All companies which sell retail credit reports are required to qualify customers and any company not in compliance with the new rules will be denied access to retail credit reports.
These rules do not restrict credit report access to any specific real estate owner, investors or managers, nor do they govern access to anything other than retail credit reports. All other types of screening reports will remain available to customers. Screening companies also may continue to sell credit reports and credit report information, but only to those fully qualified under the new regulations.
Specific requirements of each credit bureau vary and their main similarities are as follows:
On-site Inspections"
Real estate owners, investors and managers who wish to receive retail credit reports must undergo an on-site inspection of the location where reports are accessed and stored. Experian, TransUnion and Equifax all require an independent inspection company, approved by the bureau, to conduct the inspection.
Subscribers who operate out of a home office, the inspection may be required annually. To pass the inspection, subscribers must have a locked door for the premises where retail credit reports are accessed and stored, a locked filing cabinet to safeguard the reports, and a shredder to destroy reports no longer needed. Retail credit bureaus also require assurance that subscribers are not involved in any side businesses that may not be approved for the handling of credit reports (e.g., Internet locator services, bail bond companies, credit repair agencies or credit clinics to name a few).
Additional Paperwork
The qualifying process also includes credentialing of all subscribers. This involves confirming the identity of the subscriber, which requires obtaining a copy of an individual subscriber’s driver’s license, or a copy of a business subscriber’s business license. Proof of ownership of rental properties. For incorporated businesses, articles of incorporation may be required. For sole proprietors or partnerships, an assumed business name filing, or individual retail credit report may be required. A subscriber’s status as a real estate owner or manager may be verified using on line phone directories and membership in industry organizations.
On Target Solution
If you do not qualify under these rules or, if you simply do not want to undergo the required on-site inspection(s), we will provide access to order On Target ScoreCard and remove the necessary data from the retail credit report.
On Target ScoreCard reviews an applicants background and produces a leasing recommendation, both of which are based on a thorough and objective analysis of the retail credit record, evictions, lease violations and criminal history. On Target ScoreCard also takes into account income to rent ratio and debt load.
On Target ScoreCard provides subscribers with:
Verification of information on the rental application
Proprietary standards to fully evaluate the application
A fair and meaningful leasing recommendation
The ability to customize your criteria settings to meet your own acceptance criteria
A leasing recommendation
A rejection letter which is compliant with the FCRA.
You Get
All the information you need to make a sound rental decision, in a clear, easy-to-understand format, comprehensive, and objective.
You avoid
Bureau-required on-site inspections and fees
Potential inconsistent decision making, which may lead to exposure to the federal fair housing laws
The task of reading and understanding credit reports
The potential of sensitive consumer data falling into the wrong hands
On Target ScoreCard Plus
Those who have submitted the required paperwork, paid and passed the on-site inspection will have access to full credit reports in the Order Menu.
Resident Screening in a Tight Economy
With changes in the economy on everyone’s mind, this is a good time to take a fresh look at your screening practices and find new ways to adapt - from reviewing your criteria to even selecting a new screening company who is more in tune with your needs.
For years, credit reports were the main source for screening. Today there are a number of databases that help and can carry more weight than just a credit report.
Address history is a great new service and helps you discover other places your applicant has lived. The database uses 30 billion records, is searched using a name and social security number and shows up to a 30 year history.
Nationwide Eviction records are also a great source when screening in a tight economy. They are a great indicator of past rental performance.
The common criteria used to be if an applicant had a prior eviction, it was an immediate deal killer. Dealing with prior evictions can be tricky, but maybe they should not be the deal killer they once were.
There may be verifiable reasons for the eviction filing. Did they change jobs at the same time? Did they try to hide the eviction? What was the outcome of the eviction, was it paid, or did they simply move out? Did they appear on the court date? If they tried to hide the eviction, you might be able to keep the deal alive by keeping the ball in your court.
Explain that you know they lied, but you might give them a chance. Increase your deposit, and file your eviction if they are 1 day late. Verify the time frame with the credit report and the eviction filing. Late payments on credit cards may indicate they were trying to pay the rent first.
For years, credit reports were the main source for screening. Today there are a number of databases that help and can carry more weight than just a credit report.
Address history is a great new service and helps you discover other places your applicant has lived. The database uses 30 billion records, is searched using a name and social security number and shows up to a 30 year history.
Nationwide Eviction records are also a great source when screening in a tight economy. They are a great indicator of past rental performance.
The common criteria used to be if an applicant had a prior eviction, it was an immediate deal killer. Dealing with prior evictions can be tricky, but maybe they should not be the deal killer they once were.
There may be verifiable reasons for the eviction filing. Did they change jobs at the same time? Did they try to hide the eviction? What was the outcome of the eviction, was it paid, or did they simply move out? Did they appear on the court date? If they tried to hide the eviction, you might be able to keep the deal alive by keeping the ball in your court.
Explain that you know they lied, but you might give them a chance. Increase your deposit, and file your eviction if they are 1 day late. Verify the time frame with the credit report and the eviction filing. Late payments on credit cards may indicate they were trying to pay the rent first.
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