Are there any laws governing the use of tenant background checks?

Yes, there are laws in Iowa that govern the use of tenant background checks. Under Iowa Code, landlords are not allowed to conduct tenant background checks that include information about a tenant’s credit score, rental history, criminal history, or any other information that is related to a tenant’s character or lifestyle. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, landlords may conduct background checks that verify a tenant’s identity, such as verifying Social Security numbers, checking public records, or verifying references. Landlords are also allowed to conduct background checks if the tenant is applying for a lease on a rental unit that has previously been rented to another tenant. In addition, landlords in Iowa are not allowed to require a tenant to pay for a tenant background check. This means that landlords must cover the costs associated with conducting a tenant background check and may not pass those costs onto the tenant. Overall, Iowa has laws in place that limit the types of tenant background checks that landlords may perform and that also make sure that tenants are not responsible for paying for tenant background checks. By following the rules in place, landlords can make sure that they are conducting tenant background checks in compliance with the law.

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Are there any laws governing the use of tenant background checks?

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