Tag: rental screening

This article was originally published on multifamilyinsiders.com One of the challenges currently facing the rental housing industry is the amount of lease application fraud. An Entrata study found a 111% increase in lease application fraud between 2019 and 2020. In the same study, 55% of surveyed apartment managers and rental operators said their properties experience fraudulent lease application attempts every few months, and 15% said their communities were subjected to multiple attempts each month. One-third of respondents described themselves as "very concerned" about application fraud. Just as alarming as the rise in attempts is the apparent likelihood of success. In the study, 65% of apartment managers said they are not confident in their current fraud prevention efforts. Some applicants can use a range of tools to commit fraud such as fake pay stubs, bank statements, employment records, and other falsified documents. Unfortunately, readily available computer technology makes it all too easy for applicants to produce these falsified documents. Tools to fight against fraud Apartment communities that rely on an overly manual screening process may find themselves at a disadvantage in the current landscape. Relying on associates to manually verify things like income and employment history can increase the risk of a deceitful applicant being successful. In addition, these processes can be extraordinarily time-consuming, which means leasing associates have less bandwidth for their many other important duties and responsibilities. Not to mention, the units stay unoccupied while these time-consuming verifications are being done manually. Among the general screening technologies that operators should consider: Automated verification of income, assets and employment — These solutions eliminate the need for operators to collect this kind of documentation from applicants. Furthermore, it eliminates the opportunity for applicants to supply falsified supporting documentation. Frictionless authentication — A multi-layered identity verification process for those applying for rental housing, frictionless authentication detects the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that an applicant is, to one degree or another, using a false identity. By highlighting discrepancies, the process assigns a “score” to quantify the likelihood that misrepresentation is taking place. Additional confirmation of the applicant’s identity can be completed using a one-time passcode (OTP) or knowledge-based authentication (KBA). This technology also uses device intelligence to recognize the risks associated with the physical devices (such as computers, tablets, and smartphones) that consumers use for online applications to identify potential imposters. In today's landscape, apartment owners and operators need to make sure they're protecting themselves against fraudulent applicants, who may not fulfill their financial obligations as outlined in their leases. By embracing the ever-growing array of advanced screening tools and technologies, owners and operators can achieve that protection and reduce their risk significantly — and save their associates time and energy.

Recent statistics certainly illustrate why many renters are feeling anxious lately. More than 40% of renter households in the U.S. — that’s 19 million households — spent more than 30% of their total income on housing costs during the 2017–2021 period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s new American Community Survey (ACS). Households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs — including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and other fees — are considered “housing cost burdened” by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Digging a little deeper, nearly 8% of the nation’s 3,143 counties had a median housing cost ratio for renters above 30% during the five-year period, according to ACS, and nearly a third of all U.S. renters lived in these counties. Unsurprisingly, 60% of Americans say they’re “very concerned” about the cost of housing, according to the Pew Research Center. The financial plight of renters today underscores the importance of incorporating renter payment history into screening efforts. It also indicates why reporting positive rent payments to credit bureaus can be such a powerful amenity. Rental data: The key to optimizing the screening process Simply put, a screening process that includes an applicant’s rental payment history provides a more comprehensive understanding of their risk profile and likelihood of paying rent on time and in full. That’s especially critical in an environment when paying rent can be something of a financial burden for many. Wouldn’t an apartment manager want to make a leasing decision by taking into consideration every possible bit of relevant data, especially the most relevant data available — rental payment history? Credit scores are often at the heart of an operator’s screening process. A credit score can give a very general sense of the risk posed by a prospect, but it doesn't provide crystal-clear insight into the likelihood of an applicant paying their rent on time and in full. Even people who are financially responsible and diligent about paying their rent can find themselves with less-than-ideal credit scores. Maybe they were injured in an accident, came down with a serious illness or lost their job, and then suffered a host of financial consequences that harmed their credit score. It can't be assumed people who have been through these situations won't pay their rent on time. At the same time, especially given the burden rent payments pose for many renters, reporting positive payments to credit bureaus can serve as an effective way to attract residents. Unfortunately, unlike homeowners, apartment residents traditionally have not seen a positive impact on their credit reports for making their rent payments on time and in full, even though these payments can very large and usually make up their largest monthly expense. Rental reporting According to the Credit Builders Alliance (CBA), renters are seven times more likely to be credit invisible — meaning they lack enough credit history to generate a credit score — when compared to homeowners. But by reporting their on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, apartment communities can help renters build their credit histories, which can make it easier for them to do things such as secure a car loan or credit card — and to do so at favorable interest rates. Additionally, rent reporting gives residents a strong incentive to pay their rent on time and in full. And it can provide apartment communities with a competitive advantage since this financial amenity is not widespread throughout the rental-housing industry. The data is clear: this is a challenging time for many renters. But by making rental payment histories part of their screening, operators can minimize their risk. And by reporting positive rental payments, they can attract residents and help them build a better financial future. To learn more about Experian’s largest rental payment database and how to start reporting with us, visit us online. Experian RentBureau™