Are there any laws governing the use of tenant background checks?
Yes, there are laws governing the use of tenant background checks in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Law states that landlords must disclose to the tenant in writing the reasons why they are doing a background check prior to or at the time of the application. It also states that landlords must obtain written permission from the tenant prior to conducting a background check. This is to protect the tenant’s privacy and to ensure they are aware of what information the landlord is seeking. The landlord is also required to inform the tenant of the outcome of the background check within 30 days. This should include the results of the check, any reasons the landlord did not approve the tenant for the rental, and any other information related to the background check. The landlord must also provide the tenant with a copy of the background check results. Lastly, Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Law prohibits landlords from using certain information from the background check to deny an application, such as debt from a previous landlord or any criminal records that are more than 7 years old. The law also does not allow a landlord to request a background check on any tenant under the age of 18.
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