Apartment managers increase their use of online background service

"People in our industry are frightened," said David Carner, vice president of marketing and development for RealPage Inc. Following a terrorist warning last month in which federal officials said international terrorists could target apartment buildings and multifamily complexes, leaders in that industry have begun reviewing the procedures they take when making background checks on would-be tenants. At one time a $50 deposit and first month's rent could get one into rental property with few, if any, questions asked. No more, said Carner, who stated that besides making sure the applicant has a job, apartment managers are beginning to utilize software services to check the validity of driver's licenses, social security cards, criminal backgrounds and even if the applicant is on a federal most wanted list. And it can all be done in a matter of seconds. Carner said especially concerned are the owners and managers of high rise complexes or facilities with underground parking, who before Sept. 11 might have thought only government buildings or military installations would be likely targets for an attack. Now they are considering what could happen on their own back terraces. "We've always looked at the apartment as a place a terrorist might hide out to make their move but never looked at them as possible targets, even though in Russia and Chechnya that is how they have carried out their terrorist attacks," Carner said. Carner commented that until recently property managers gave little thought about residents. As long as they paid the rent on time, everyone was happy. Now, through services such as his RealPage OnSite Screening, subscribers can get a more detailed background check on the applicants for an apartment, townhouse or condominium. For the past two decades RealPage has offered criminal background checks to property mangers requesting such information, as well as general management and marketing services. Today that business has soared with this screening company alone covering more than 60 percent of the U.S. population with an online database and a client list that includes over 20,0000 multifamily communities across the United States. Carner said his company offers its clients instantaneous information with a comprehensive automated scoring process. The National Multi Housing Council has recommended increasing the screening of residents and even contractors performing maintenance and repair work. NMHC also advised properties to review existing employee verification, including background checks for any criminal history, and said resident applicants should be required to provide original forms of documented identification within the guidelines of fair housing laws. "It's really important not to discriminate against people because of national origin, but screening isn't just making sure they are going to pay the rent on time. Screening is also making sure you create a safer community and protect residents from unforeseeable harm," Carner said. While making the alert regarding multifamily housing, FBI officials stressed that the threat advisory was issued as a tool for caution and not because of any specific threats. Carner said if any lesson has been learned by the general American population in the past seven months, it should be that the thought "it could never happen to me" carries with it potentially fatal flaws. "Times have changed a lot," Carner said, "and juries are awarding penalties against properties when crimes are committed on those properties." Carner said dealing with security and background checks regarding the potential of terrorism is a little like dealing with white- collar crimes, where trails are hidden behind double identities or unknown second lifestyles. "Protecting against terrorism is a highly charged and emotional issue right now. We felt it was important to offer this terrorist search as a standard service to our customers. Our goal is to provide property managers with real-time, accurate data from federal agencies to help in their screening process." Carner provided a list of some of this company's clients for verification. While each one approached confirmed having this service, each also declined to offer any comment on how they have made use of it, suggesting security was their reason to remain silent. Copyright 2002 Dolan Media Newswires Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved. < Prev   Next >