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

Yes, landlords are allowed to require tenants to submit to a credit check in accordance with Virginia’s Fair Housing Law. This law, which is a state statute, is designed to protect tenants from discrimination in housing. Under this law, landlords are allowed to require tenants to complete and submit a credit check. This is to help the landlord determine if the tenant is responsible with paying their bills on time. It also helps the landlord assess the tenant’s ability to pay the rent. When a tenant is asked to submit to a credit check, they should provide written consent to this request. The landlord can also require tenants to provide recent bank statements or pay stubs in order to verify income. It’s important to note that it is illegal for a landlord to use any of a tenant’s personal information to discriminate against them. This includes using a tenant’s credit score or other demographic information to deny them a rental unit. It’s also important to know that landlords should not ask for a credit check if the tenant has already provided a security deposit or other evidence of financial responsibility. This is because doing so could be a violation of the Fair Housing Law. To sum up, landlords are allowed to require tenants to submit to a credit check in accordance with Virginia’s Fair Housing Law. This law is designed to protect tenants from discrimination. However, it is illegal for a landlord to use any personal information to discriminate against a tenant, including a credit score or other demographic information.

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