Your OTHER credit report

March 1st, 2006

The California Apartment Association asked us to write about a topic that is often misunderstood by renters and landlords alike. If someone is evicted from an apartment, does it go on his credit report?

The answer: It depends on the quality of your screener. This from the March issue of TCAA's creatively named magazine Apartment Management:

The court cases that matter most to many landlords are eviction cases. Some screening reports include a search of millions of landlord/tenant litigation records. While these court cases are public information, they do not show up on traditional credit reports.

To a landlord, this data is invaluable: A study by a leading REIT showed that over 55 percent of renters who have been evicted will be evicted again. And with tenant-friendly judges on the bench in many locales, a key component of effective property management is to identify chronically problematic tenants before they move in.

Some companies look beyond court cases and credit files. In some markets, eviction court records are delayed by 60 days before they are made public. To address this inefficiency, some within the screening industry have empowered landlords to submit tenancy records to fill in the gaps.

Eastward ho!

March 1st, 2006

We started in the wild wild west, we conquered Manhattan, and now we're filling in the gaps.

From UNITS Magazine's March issue:

Pioneering Screening and Lease Provider Expands to Three New Markets

On-Site.com, the leading resident screening innovator, has opened offices in Chicago, Phoenix and New Jersey, as the company continues to expand nationwide....

"We are excited to expand our services to these additional markets... The technology that On-Site.com offers improves the way apartments are leased, making it easier and less risky than before. Not only have we taken the tedious administrative work out of leasing units, we have provided owners and managers indispensable information that protects their assets.

On-Site.com services residential properties with online technology that allows owners, brokers and property management companies to quickly identify and lease to qualified residents. In 2004 the company was nominated for an Inman Innovator Award and was recognized as a pioneer in technology and service. On-Site.com currently has eight offices.