Background screening for tenant and employment screening usually entails database searches and court record checks such as criminal background checks.  Most information about an applicant is pulled from databases and court records.  Databases allow for the instantaneous background retrieval systems available in the USA today and along with court record checks makes up for most of the information a landlord or employer needs to know before making a leasing or employment related decision.  However, databases are only as good and reliable as the information entered in them.  Fortunately for consumers the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects them from inaccurate or out dated information.  For example, if an employment background check is conducted on a job candidate and a criminal record was found, the employer/consumer reporting agency (CRA) has to notify the applicant that a record was found that adversely affected them. Then the applicant can dispute the claim with the CRA and if the record(s) found were either inaccurate, incomplete or out dated they would have to remove the record(s) in question from their database.

Although background checks are extremely important for landlords and employers during the vetting process of an applicant, they need to be conducted in a way consistent with the laws and regulations of local, State and Federal governments.  Databases and court records are essential for landlords and employers to get the information they need in a timely fashion to assist in choosing well qualified applicants.  Databases both electronic and physical are getting better and more accurate over time and access to such information is critical in ensuring the background screening results are reliable.  This includes many forms of background screening including both tenant screening and employment screening.  It is important to note that even with the high quality of database information and court record information available the consumer will always have rights under the FCRA and other government entities like HUD and the EEOC to make sure their personal information is protected and accurate.

To read more about this subject read recent CriminalBackgroundRecords.com press release.