What is a reusable tenant screening report?
As defined by the Washington State Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA) – RCW 59.18.030 – a “Comprehensive reusable tenant screening report” means a tenant screening report prepared by a consumer reporting agency at the direction of and paid for by the prospective tenant and made available directly to a prospective landlord at no charge, which contains all of the following: (a) A consumer credit report prepared by a consumer reporting agency within the past thirty days; (b) the prospective tenant’s criminal history; (c) the prospective tenant’s eviction history; (d) an employment verification; and (e) the prospective tenant’s address and rental history.”
A reusable tenant screening report can save tenants from paying an application fee each time they apply for a rental unit. Having to pay multiple screening fees can be burdensome to tenants in a competitive rental market. The reusable screening report is valid for 30 days after production after which the tenant would need to purchase a new report to ensure the screening information is current.
A landlord is not required to accept a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report. The landlord still has the option to conduct traditional tenant screening in accordance with required disclosures under the RLTA. If the landlord does accept the reusable tenant screening report, the tenant cannot be charged for any additional screening reports that the landlord wants to run.
For landlords who maintain a website advertising the renting of dwelling unit, the landlord is required to include a statement, specifically on the website’s homepage, disclosing whether the landlord will accept a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report.