Why should board check out renter?
I own a condominium that I rent. On the application for lease, it states that a background and credit check will be done at the owner’s expense. A board should not have the need for such a check, as the tenant pays the rent directly to me. What are the statutes that give an association board permission to do a background check?
L.F., De Bary
A: You must check your documents first to determine if the board has the right to screen and review prospective buyers and renters. Sometimes it is called right of first refusal (FS 718.612).
While the credit check would seem to only protect you, the facts are that residents do interact with other neighbors. It is a way to check that your renter does not have any skeletons in the closet. In addition, the board can inform you if you have a renter with a poor credit record, which might put you in a weak financial position to pay your fees.