Bad Tenant Database - Searchable for landlords

[Ryan Neuwoehner]

I am working to create a private tenant database for my local community to be accessed only by landlords.The system will allow landlords to list the tenant’s info, property address rented, rate the tenant, upload photos of damage, and describe the circumstances of their departure from the property (ie – do they still owe rent).It’s accessible from a phone for landlords to upload and check.The idea is to create a way for a quick prescreen of potential tenants.It’s searchable by name and or address (of their previous rented location).

I’m developing this as a way to help hold bad tenants accountable for their actions and to provide some level of honest & accurate screening.

There are some potential challenges with landlords abusing the system.However, if pictures are provided or required to document damages I think that will go a long way to avoiding this.Also, I doubt landlords are going to take the time to slam a tenant who doesn’t deserve it as it would provide no value to the landlord.

In my lease I include a line highlighting the “landlord’s right to report”, which outlines that I will be reporting on the tenants actions to a 3rd party data management company.Think of this as reporting to a credit bureau.The feedback from my renters has been interesting.They are worried about future landlords seeing this and it seems to be having a positive impact.

I’m curious to know if landlords in other communities would find this of value.I’m also curious to know any thoughts you have on this.I’m hoping this would be something adopted by cities to help landlords manage bad renters.My community has been on a rampage of blaming landlords for all of the ill’s in the community.Yet they provide zero assistance in actually addressing bad renters.

[Ned J.]

Sounds good on paper..... but its a huge lawsuit waiting to happen. Lawyers will have a field day with it...discrimination etc etc.

Same reason as calling a previous employer about a former employee....they are basically stuck with " I would/would not hire them again" and that's about all they can say without getting sued...and most wont go past "yes they used to work here form date X to date Y

Best way to combat issues with bad tenant is to screen them aggressively..... especially call their last 2-3 landlords and actually talk to them. The current landlord may sugar coat it just to get rid of them but the previous ones got no skin in the game anymore. Get direct referrals....don't rely on a basic background check

Love the idea and it would be immensely helpful to landlords in the area....but logistically its got a lot of issues that would need to be dealt with before this would ever fly on a larger scale

If you can pull it off without getting your *** sued on a regular basis, then more power to you