Longmeadow Thu 4/11: Content Added: Tenant Screening Best Practices, Criminal Records, and Expert Perspectives

In our quest to cover the Greater Springfield region, we're going back to Twin Hills for a month. It's spring and time to remind ourselves of the importance of careful tenant selection to our bottom line. In this month's meeting we'll be covering tenant screening with in-depth looks from three sets of speakers. The first two segments will be "how" and the third will be "what" to look for.

Part I: Tenant Screening Refresher

We'll start by reviewing the list of protected classes and equal housing opportunity laws. Yes, you can reject the rental application of someone who's a member of a protected class. But no, you can't do so because of their being in that protected class. We'll cover federal and state protected classes, steering, and testing. We'll make sure everyone leaves the room understanding their obligations to ensure equal housing opportunity for all.

We'll then cover the "big three" tenant screening checks that landlords can pay for. These are in addition to the detective work we can do on our own. We'll explain how credit scores work, one easy source of criminal data, and one free way to check eviction records.

This part of the presentation will be given by MassLandlords staff.

Part II: Criminal Records In-Depth

Criminal records have become both under-utilized and overly harsh in screening out rental applicants. We'll explain which kinds of data sources exist, what the data tells us or doesn't tell us about an applicant, and why we need to review criminal records on a case-by-case basis. Arrests and misdemeanors may not be housing relevant.

This part of the presentation will be a moderated discussion between staff and Jeremy Durrin, president of Background Examine.

Part III: Landlord Q&A on Screening

We'll be putting three regular audience members in front of the room to discuss what they look for once they have a credit, criminal, and eviction history. We'll also be asking them about checking income, references, cosigners, residence history, and many other factors.

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"No Sales Pitch" Guarantee

MassLandlords offers attendees of directly managed events a "No Sales Pitch" guarantee. If a guest speaker offers services, their presentation will not discuss pricing, promotions, or reasons why you should hire them. We do not permit speakers to pay for or sponsor events. Guest speakers are chosen for their expertise and willingness to present helpful educational content. Your purchase of an event ticket sustains our nonprofit model.

Thursday, April 11^th

RHAGS Meeting Agenda

• 5:30pm Sign-in and Networking
• Cash bar
• Networking draws from Springfield, West Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Agawam, Southwick, Southampton, Easthampton, Northampton, Westhampton, Hadley, South Hadley, Granby, Amherst, Belchertown, Ware, Palmer, Warren, Monson, and Hampden.
• 6:00pm Buffet dinner
• 6:40pm State-wide Business Update and Member Minutes
• 7:00pm Local Updates
• 7:05pm Legal Update
• 7:10pm Tenant Screening Refresher
• 7:35pm Criminal Records In-Depth
• 7:50pm Ask the Experts on Tenant Screening
• 8:30pm Networking
• 9:00pm Doors Close

Location

You can just about taste the whiskey bread pudding reading this event listing:

Twin Hills Country Club
700 Wolf Swamp Rd
Longmeadow, MA 01106

Food

• Hot buffet dinner, incl. salad and rolls
• Cash bar
• Hot Coffee & Tea
• Dessert

*Dietary restrictions: purchase an early-bird ticket and email hello@masslandlords.net, we will accommodate you.

Pricing

Open to the public. Membership is not required!

• Door:
  • Public: $40
  • Members: $35
• Early bird, reserve seven days prior by 12pm:
  • Public: $38
  • Members: $30

Nametags are printed for all early-bird tickets and premium members.

Extra Credit

• First time attendees: Join as a member before leaving the event, your public ticket will be credited toward membership.
• Members: Bring a first-time attendee who joins at the event, your membership will be extended by one month free. No limit.

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