Something's missing...

[Dan Pilgrim]

I have recently decided to put my house up for rent. I am getting married next June and need to start saving some money.
My question is this...
As new prospective tenants come to me to possibly rent, what right do I have as a Landlord to deny them living there based on a previous criminal record?

There is much talk about holding the landlords responsible for criminal activity on his/her property.

I just looked up the court record for FRANCISCO L RODRIGUEZ, the man wanted currently for the attempted murder on 9/25/07, and it is pretty clear this individual is a career criminal.

What landlord/landlords in Lakewood is allowing these types of individuals to move to Lakewood that have repeat offenses for drug offenses and other criminal acts?

Why do we have to sit back as a city and watch these violent crimes continue to happen when many of these "Lakewood citizens" should be denied rental units based on their criminal pasts?

Maybe i am wrong and landlords must provide housing to anyone willing to pay, but something seems to be missing.

[Gary Rice]

Dan,

Good question.

First, start by calling the city.

As a member of the Community Development Block Grant Committee, I can inform you that there are several groups who work with the city to provide educational services both for tenants and for landlords.

A call to the city switchboard should immediately get you routed to the information that you require.

You need also to be aware that, as a landlord, there will be a number of requirements that you will need to adhere to, here in Lakewood.

[sharon kinsella]

One other thing - do we know for certain that this man is a Lakewood Resident? The addresses that he is known to frequent (according to the police bulletin) are in Cleveland.

[Kenneth Warren]

Mr. Pilgrim:

It is certainly possible for you to incorporate a criminal background check into your applicant screening criteria. Apply it fairly and equitably and you will keep your property and community safe.

Incidentally, I doubt that any landlord of a Lakewood property actually rented to FRANCISCO L RODRIGUEZ, also known as Cisco. It’s more likely he stayed from time to time at his girl friend’s Clifton Avenue apartment.

It's largely drop-in criminals and chaos-makers who have been leaving the trail of blood on Lakewood streets. That's no consolation, but simply a recognition of the magnetic powers that accessories, enablers and relatives of criminals can hold over a low-rent city.

How a landlord can legally prevent convicted criminals from shacking up with a renter is something to discuss with your attorney and determine how such restrictions might be set forth in a lease.

Kenneth Warren

[Phil Florian]

Some landlords do thorough background checks, others do a bit and some, I am told, do nothing. Right now, I don't think there is a law that requires a landlord to do a background check. Or is there? Sometimes in tight times the promise of income is enough to allow someone into a rental agreement. From what the PD and his record states, though, he is at best transient and may not even be on anyone's lease. Landlords might rent to a person with a clean background check but doesn't take any more responsibility to check anyone who comes to stay there. Who knows? Good luck!

[Jim O'Bryan]

One other thing - do we know for certain that this man is a Lakewood Resident? The addresses that he is known to frequent (according to the police bulletin) are in Cleveland.

Sharon

Very sharp.

I believe his girlfriend is from Lakewood.


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