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MTSP Posted by Al on 2009-05-20 9:10:42am

The City of Davenport is in the final stage of establishing Minimum Tenant Screening Process. Following is their draft MTSP:

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

MINIMUM TENANT SCREENING PROCESS
(MTSP)

Davenport Municipal Code: Chapter 8.15.145

I. Purpose
A. Minimum Tenant Screening Process (MTSP) outlines the minimum screening process acceptable for all rental property within the City of Davenport. The consistent use of a MTSP will assist rental property owners in the selection of tenants that are able to meet the requirements of tenancy.
B. Each rental property owner may supplement the criteria set forth in the MTSP in their leases, applications and tenant selection plans to include more rigorous screening requirements.

II. Applicability
The MTSP shall apply to all rental property within the City of Davenport. The items marked with an asterisk * and in red are required, and the remaining items are recommended.

III. Minimum and Recommended Screening Criteria: *Written Application. All tenant applicants shall fill out a written application. Each adult over the age of 18 must provide their name and proof of identification for purpose of background check, regardless of whether their name will be on the lease agreement.
1. *A photo ID shall be verified for each applicant.
2. *Social security number shall be required.
3. *Applicant signature authorization for the release and verification of all information needed to complete a full background report.
Additional Recommended Items:
4. Address history.
5. Prior Landlord information.
6. Employment Status.
7. Personal References.
8. Statement informing applicants what shall result in an automatic denial. Ex) false information, recent criminal conduct that indicating he or she may be a threat to other tenants, prior evictions, etc.
9. Make the ability to secure utilities in their own name a requirement of tenancy.
10. Require an emergency contact and/or next of kin.
B. Credit and *Criminal Background Check. At a minimum, the free online court records from the location the applicant has recently resided, if available, should be checked. Many services provide background checks for a fee. The Davenport Police Department Crime Prevention Unit provides this service free of charge. Landlord background check forms are found at: http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/docs/1190997115_833831.pdf
Should you decide to check yourself, the following are recommended resources.
1. Check the online court records of the relevant counties according to the address history provided in the application. If the applicant is from a State or county lacking or with incomplete online records, require the applicant to provide a certified copy of their record. Be sure to check for evictions, which are civil, in addition to criminal records.
2. Iowa Courts Online. http://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/SelectFrame
3. Rock Island. http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/index.jsp?court=IL081025J
4. Sex Offender Registry. http://www.iowasexoffender.com/
5. Nuisance List. http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/docs/1227117155_677581.pdf
C. Application Verification. Verify the information on the application such as Employment status by directly contacting employers or require the applicant to provide the most recent pay stub. Requiring personal references in addition can be beneficial also. Be sure to contact former landlords to check on the applicants’ payment record as a tenant.
D. Make Applicant Aware of Rules and Expectations Up Front. Provide applicants with a copy of your rules when they apply, so that they are aware of the expectations that will be placed on them before they accept an offer of tenancy.
1. Use some form of Tenant Responsibility Notification such as the form provided by the Community Services Division and have each tenant sign and date prior to the tenant taking possession. Link to CSD tenant responsibility Form.

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MTSP - Al - 2009-05-20 9:10:42am

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Message:	:The City of Davenport is in the final stage of establishing Minimum Tenant Screening Process. Following is their draft MTSP: : :COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION : :MINIMUM TENANT SCREENING PROCESS :(MTSP) : :Davenport Municipal Code: Chapter 8.15.145 : :I. Purpose : A. Minimum Tenant Screening Process (MTSP) outlines the minimum screening process acceptable for all rental property within the City of Davenport. The consistent use of a MTSP will assist rental property owners in the selection of tenants that are able to meet the requirements of tenancy. : B. Each rental property owner may supplement the criteria set forth in the MTSP in their leases, applications and tenant selection plans to include more rigorous screening requirements. : :II. Applicability : The MTSP shall apply to all rental property within the City of Davenport. The items marked with an asterisk * and in red are required, and the remaining items are recommended. : :III. Minimum and Recommended Screening Criteria: Written Application. All tenant applicants shall fill out a written application. Each adult over the age of 18 must provide their name and proof of identification for purpose of background check, regardless of whether their name will be on the lease agreement. :1. A photo ID shall be verified for each applicant. :2. Social security number shall be required. :3. Applicant signature authorization for the release and verification of all information needed to complete a full background report. :Additional Recommended Items: :4. Address history. :5. Prior Landlord information. :6. Employment Status. :7. Personal References. :8. Statement informing applicants what shall result in an automatic denial. Ex) false information, recent criminal conduct that indicating he or she may be a threat to other tenants, prior evictions, etc. :9. Make the ability to secure utilities in their own name a requirement of tenancy. :10. Require an emergency contact and/or next of kin. :B. Credit and *Criminal Background Check. At a minimum, the free online court records from the location the applicant has recently resided, if available, should be checked. Many services provide background checks for a fee. The Davenport Police Department Crime Prevention Unit provides this service free of charge. Landlord background check forms are found at: http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/docs/1190997115_833831.pdf :Should you decide to check yourself, the following are recommended resources. :1. Check the online court records of the relevant counties according to the address history provided in the application. If the applicant is from a State or county lacking or with incomplete online records, require the applicant to provide a certified copy of their record. Be sure to check for evictions, which are civil, in addition to criminal records. :2. Iowa Courts Online. http://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/SelectFrame :3. Rock Island. http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/index.jsp?court=IL081025J :4. Sex Offender Registry. http://www.iowasexoffender.com/ :5. Nuisance List. http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/docs/1227117155_677581.pdf :C. Application Verification. Verify the information on the application such as Employment status by directly contacting employers or require the applicant to provide the most recent pay stub. Requiring personal references in addition can be beneficial also. Be sure to contact former landlords to check on the applicants’ payment record as a tenant. :D. Make Applicant Aware of Rules and Expectations Up Front. Provide applicants with a copy of your rules when they apply, so that they are aware of the expectations that will be placed on them before they accept an offer of tenancy. :1. Use some form of Tenant Responsibility Notification such as the form provided by the Community Services Division and have each tenant sign and date prior to the tenant taking possession. Link to CSD tenant responsibility Form. : :
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