Are landlords allowed to require tenants to submit to a credit check in accordance with Fair Housing Law?

Yes, landlords in North Carolina are allowed to require tenants to submit to a credit check in accordance with Fair Housing Law. This is because the Fair Housing Act does not regulate landlords’ use of credit checks. Instead, the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for landlords to discriminate against applicants and tenants based on their race, color, national origin, religion, family status, sex, or disability. A landlord’s use of credit checks to evaluate potential tenants is considered an accepted part of the rental process, as long as the landlord’s use of credit checks is applied consistently, regardless of the applicant’s race, color, national origin, religion, family status, sex, or disability. Landlords should also be sure to only review credit-related information that is relevant and necessary for evaluating rental applications. A landlord may not deny an application solely on the basis of information contained within the applicant’s credit report. Rather, the landlord must make a decision based on an evaluation of all the relevant information, including the applicant’s credit history. If the landlord identifies an issue during the credit evaluation process, they should explain the issue to the applicant and give them an opportunity to resolve it. In North Carolina, landlords are legally allowed to require tenants to submit to a credit check in accordance with Fair Housing Law. Landlords should also make sure that they are using credit checks in a non-discriminatory manner and that they allow applicants to address any issues that may arise during the evaluation process.

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