Using Facebook or other social media to screen tenants

[Anne Coleman]

HI, I was just wondering if anyone is using Facebook, instagram, etc. to make  informed decisions on potential  tenants in addition to all other background checks and references.  If so, how are you approaching the use of social media in your screening process ? Are there any fair housing laws that would be violated by doing a search to make your decision ? Many employers are doing these types of searches so it seems like it would be a good tool for landlords to use in the screening process as well.  Thanks for any advice or comments you have on this issue

[Mindy Jensen]

I think you can use social media to screen tenants - you just can't deny them because they have kids or for any other reason that is protected.

If your social media posts show you drinking heavily every weekend, I'm going to find another tenant. Alternatively, if they show that you're posting things like Happy Birthday to my dearest friend and recipes for baking, that makes me feel like you're less likely to throw a raging kegger in my unit - at least less likely than the person drinking heavily over the weekend. And heavy drinkers are not a protected class.

You can learn a lot  by checking someone's social media posts, and I would definitely ask them for their social media links. If they say no, perhaps they have something to hide. 

@Nathan Gesner? @Jim K.?