May 19, 2009
Blacklisted Renters List
4 Comments »A National company Do Not Rent To has created a database service for Landlords to use to look up prospective renters, rental history.
“For only $30 landlords can search your name and learn if there is anything in your past that should keep them from renting to you.” – NBC12
The service provides information such as your social security number, drivers license number, date of birth and anything else a past Landlord wishes to divulge about you. What can a renter do about it? Absolutely nothing. The service is legal and a renter can’t dispute any of the information that may be in the database about them. If you want to see if your name is on the list you will have to pay the $30 dollar account fee to find out. For the full article see NBC12.
I have been looking at things from the other side of the coin, bad landlords.
I have been pushing the idea of landlord licenses over on the Church Hill People’s News.
One possibility that would help deal with neglectful landlords and other problems is landlord licenses. Landlords are forced to pay for licenses for their property and if there are problems they get demerits. Too many demerits and they get licenses pulled and may lose property. The City could even make a few bucks off a licensing program and put the proceeds to work for affordable housing.
I wonder how big the database of people is. I hope this isn’t just one big scam as I just paid my $30 for access to the site.
“What can a renter do about it? Absolutely nothing. The service is legal and a renter can
Bigger cities have a tenant association. Richmond, well, it isn’t that motivated. If you have a bad landlord the best thing to do is to use what is called a “Tenant’s Assertion.” Go down to John Marshall Courthouse and the clerk will tell you all about it. If your lease violates the Landlord Tenant Act, or they are violating the terms and conditions just go down town, put the rent money into escrow and let the judge fix it. It is super easy! Also, non-licensed/artificial credit reporting agencies, and false filings through the 3-major sources can result in some major money. January or December’s VA Lawyer’s Weekly told the story of a man who had sued and one for $100,000 for false reporting. For real.