Most housing providers are familiar with the FICO® credit score, developed by Fair Isaac Corporation. It has long been the standard tool for evaluating an applicant’s creditworthiness. However, newer scoring models do exist, such as AOA’s TenantRisk Score from TransUnion. These newer credit scoring models are gaining traction, particularly as screening priorities shift and costs…
A recent disclosure from the Los Angeles Superior Court revealed that roughly 464,000 criminal case results in Los Angeles County were never transmitted to the California Department of Justice. Outdated systems and reporting gaps meant decades of case dispositions, including convictions and dismissals, never reached the state repository. For housing providers relying on background screening…
To help housing providers stay compliant with new laws taking effect in 2026, AOA made significant updates to all of its rental agreements, including the Bay Area rental agreements. Keep in mind that multiple attorneys, from across the state, review and advise us in the revision process. These updated rental agreements (Form 101) are now…
At the end of June, a California Court of Appeal ruled that a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit was defective because it did not clearly state the date by which the rent should be paid. Basically, the average renter who reads the three-day notice should be able to figure out the deadline and…
Background checks are the most important tool in a landlord’s screening process, according to a survey of 700 landlords by the real estate investment-strategy company BiggerPockets. The survey showed that landlords use multiple sources in tenant screening. At the top of the list, 88% of respondents said they run a certified tenant-screening report, while 78%…
Softer rental and for-sale markets give prospective buyers and renters more bargaining power. Competition for rentals cooled off faster than usual in May giving prospective renters more negotiating power. Early June is when rental activity — listing views, rental applications and inquiries to property managers — typically peaks on the Zillow platform. Rent growth is…
We were once asked when the most successful eviction is. Our response: One that never occurs at all. Our law offices are accustomed to nightmare tenants who do not pay rent, wreak damage to the unit, and create unpleasant or even hostile living experiences for neighboring residents. Landlords do not call to tell us that…
The new 2025 AOA Lease includes the following updates: Removed the $50 charge for serving a 3-day notice, to reflect changes to current law (SB611). New section on Micro Mobility Devices which many attorneys consider to be required in the lease. New box to add the AOA Rent Reporting Addendum. There are two addendum options:…
Housing providers that fail to give a clear, stand-alone consumer’s rights disclosure and obtain written consent before running a credit report routinely lose in court and end up paying $10,000 per applicant. Additionally, applicants must also receive a copy of the report (in person, by mail, or email), within seven days after the report is…
Note to readers: The below tips are shared by landlords nationwide –please be sure to check the rental laws in your jurisdiction as they may differ from suggestions in this article. When screening applicants, one important factor to consider is STABILITY. How stable are the applicants? As one landlord put it: “Stable people don’t bounce”. One…