How do you handle a crimnal conviction that is traffic?

Question

I have a good candidate for a rental who has a traffic convition for not carrying insurance and driving without registration. How would you handle this? Ask them further questions about it? Deny? Accept?

Thanks!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I disagree with Bjorn.

The purpose of application screening is to determine the level of risk the applicant presents. Driving without insurance has almost zero correlation to how the individual is with a rental. You could argue it shows a lack of personal responsibility and may indicate how they would comply with a lease, but there's no direct correlation between the two. I know people that cheat on their taxes and cheat on their spouse, but they never cheat on their golf score.

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

To me that is a blatant disregard of his responsibility, and demonstrates how he would treat other 'formalities' like obeying a lease. Not for me, I would move on to the next applicant.

Bob Stevens · Answer

really ITS A TRAFFIC violation, who cares. HIRE a PM co please,

All the best

Richard F. · Answer

Aloha,

If only one or two convictions, this is pretty minor. Over the years, I have forgotten to send off an insurance payment, or did not receive my renewal notice for registration, or missed a safety check on occasion. If, however, they have numerous convictions over just recent past years, it is highly likely they have other Bad Habits to look for. DUI's are far more serious, and if fairly recent it is likely the person has lost their license and should not be driving...but usually they disregard that fact. Then they get caught up again, and jail or lost income becomes the next crisis.

I always look at all the background info and reports, to look for that pattern of Bad Habits. I don't let outlying, relatively insignificant issues cause me to reject someone that has either clearly changed their life (as facts illustrate), or simply had a couple incidents of poor judgment. Of course, dealing drugs, or being an axe murderer are not "insignificant", and will disqualify you in a heartbeat.

Cari Sweet · Answer

Anyone screening tenants should have a written policy on how they handle specific types of convictions; this protects you from claims of discrimination. You also have to consider the law of the jurisdiction(s) you are in. Some jurisdictions only allow you to look back for a certain amount of time, only for certain crimes, and can be specific about charges vs convictions. For my own company, misdemeanors that are unrelated to property and person crime, are generally disregarded. (I don't consider them a risk to the property or tenants.) I also allow applicants to "earn back points" by explaining the situation and what they have done to make it right (paid the fine, attended a program, etc.).

Bob Stevens · Answer

Well golf is all about integrity the others well LOL

Jason Cox · Answer

Disagree strongly on this. Too many types of offenses, too complex to make hard and fast written rules on this. And with Biden & friends constantly changing the rules in the middle of the game to make things more "fair" having hard written rules on criminal can easily blow up in your face. My criminal criteria now is simply "all criminal offenses will be evaluated on a case by case basis".

Colleen F. · Answer

@Sam Faas what's the story?   This guy could have been broke, or just forgetful or clueless. Losing track of stuff. You can get convicted if it's not your car too because hey you are the one driving it.  If you are a 40 year old guy maybe the cop impounds the car and doesn't cite you but if you are 20 years old and he thinks you are complicit you get the tickets and the conviction.  I had a guy with a DUI, one of my best tenants. He was upfront and said I am over that part of my life. My guess is he had a few turndowns before me. 5 years no issue.   I would ask questions but likely accept.

Ned J. · Answer

Its a minor traffic violation.... if everything else is good to go, it would unquestionably not be a deal breaker. If he was borderline on all my other criteria, it may tip it over to a NO, but this is a minor infraction that would not make me reject him on that fact alone. No way....its car insurance. Relax

@Greg M. Rather accept a tenant with one DUI over him? Are you kidding me? DUI puts human life at risk. And a huge % of people that get caught for a DUI have done it LOTS of times before and didn't get caught....and a fair number do it again.  And you would trust that person more than a guy that didnt have his car insurance up to date? Seriously?

Carlos Ptriawan · Answer

These kind of question is really 100% your discretion as LL

I would have my opinion and my opinion may be very different than 99% of people here.

If I'm landlord in your neighborhood competition with you, if he is honest guy and he's generally a responsible person, send him to me if you going to reject him. I would accept him. Case closed.

How do you handle a crimnal conviction that is traffic?

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