you can keep all of your information to yourself and use it after you get the application. What information do you request on your application? Ie. 10-11-12 are part of the lease, not information you request on an application. #10 If a potential tenant admits they smoke, I do not give them an application. #1-#9 are statements, not a request for information. etc.
In general the applications I receive ask for name, date of birth, SIN. (they do not have to provide SIN) Their current address, their previous address if the current has been less than 2 years. I also ask for their phone number. This is the minimum information required to do a credit check.
I also ask for their current employer and their gross monthly income; direct supervisor and Ph or HR phone number if they work for a larger company. I also ask for their email address and I also ask for their reason for moving. (the best reason is that the landlord sold the house or apartment) The application that I give them, will state on it that a background and credit check will be performed on all applicants.
I do the credit check myself and expense the cost as part of doing business. If the income does not meet the 2.5x rent, I wont even do the check and auto fail them. If the candidate was a home owner previously, and they sold their home, (no income) I will ask for proof of funds. This is not usual, but I see it sometimes now as the market was so hot in the last 6 months, a lot of retired owners sold their homes.
If I do the check, (for a lower income neighborhood, 600 min credit score) Then I call the employer and ask for a general monthly income to match with their application and if the person is reliable. I call the landlord and ask how long the tenant has been there to match with the application, and if they are on time with rent, and again if they are reliable. In a Strata apartment or condo, I will also ask and if there have been any complaints regarding the tenants (noise/smoking etc. )
Replies to the applicant is.. your application was approved/not approved. If not approved, do NOT give a reason. Especially do not mention race/religion/marital status/sexual orientation or anything related to Human Rights. You do not want to be accused of discrimination and have to go to a Human Rights Tribunal. The bar is very low.. to the point of making them feel discriminated against, in one of the protected categories is dangerous waters.
... just say thanks for your interest, your application was not approved. Next.
Hope this helps.
Originally posted by
@Katie Willcox:
Ron - Good point! Here are our 'qualification standards':
1. Applicants must have valid government photo ID and a valid Social Insurance Number.
2. Background checks will be conducted on all applicants over the age of 18 years old.
3. Income must exceed three-times the monthly rent. (Rent is $1,150.00)
4. All income must be from a variable source, univariable income will not be considered.
5. All applicants must have positive references from all previous landlords from the past five
years.
6. Applicants cannot have any previous evictions.
7. Applicants must not have unpaid judgments from previous landlords.
8. Applicants must exhibit a responsible financial life. Their credit score must be a minimum
of 650. If no credit score is available, a secondary credit reference must be provided as a
co-signer on the potential lease.
9. Applicants must past the background check.
10. Applicants and all people who intend on living in the property must be non-smoking.
11. Maximum 2 pre-approved pets living at the property at any given time.
12. Maximum 2 people per bedroom living in the property at any given time.
