Are landlords allowed to ask tenants about their criminal backgrounds in accordance with Fair Housing Law?

Yes, landlords may ask tenants about their criminal backgrounds in accordance with Fair Housing Law in Florida. However, the landlord must take into account the reasonableness of the request and must follow certain restrictions outlined by the Fair Housing Act. According to the Fair Housing Law, landlords may not discriminate against potential tenants; however, they may take criminal history into consideration because some convictions may lead to a risk of future criminal activity. For criminal background checks, landlords must obtain written consent from the tenant, provide a written notice to the tenant outlining the purpose and scope of the criminal background check, provide the tenant with a copy of the background check, and use the same report for all tenants. It is important for landlords in Florida to be aware of their responsibilities and restrictions when it comes to criminal background checks in order to comply with the Fair Housing Law. Landlords may ask tenants about their criminal backgrounds, but the request must be reasonable and within the scope of the Fair Housing Law.

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