Effective Date: August 7th, 2023
Key points:
Acceptance of Portable Tenant Screening Reports (PTSRs): Landlords are required to accept PTSRs provided by prospective tenants. These reports must be prepared by a consumer reporting agency within the previous 30 days at the tenant's request and expense.
Prohibition of Application Fees with PTSRs: If a prospective tenant provides a PTSR, the landlord is prohibited from charging any application fee or a fee to access or use the report.
Required Information in PTSRs: A valid PTSR must include the tenant's name, contact information, verification of employment and income, rental and credit history, and criminal history.
Landlord Obligations Prior to Collecting Application Fees: Before collecting any tenant information that would generate an application fee, landlords must inform prospective tenants about the acceptance of PTSRs and the prohibition of charging fees to those who provide such reports.
Exceptions for Landlords: Landlords are not required to accept PTSRs or provide related advisements if they do not accept more than one application fee at a time for a dwelling unit and refund the total amount of the application fee within 20 calendar days if the application is declined.
Provision of Consumer Reports Upon Application Denial: If a landlord denies a rental application after obtaining a consumer report, they must provide the prospective tenant with a copy of the report and inform them of their right to dispute its accuracy with the reporting agency.
This legislation aims to reduce the financial burden on tenants applying for multiple properties and promote transparency in the tenant screening process.
