Tips to Expedite Your Reports
Portland's rental vacancy rate rose for the second year in a row, reaching 8.8%, according to the Portland Housing Bureau's most recent (2024) State of Housing report. For landlords, empty units equal lost time and money, so it is important for screeners and leasing agents to work together to quickly identify quality applicants. Here are a few tips on how to start each screening on the right foot and help ensure the fastest and most complete results.
Starting the Process
1. Provide all the necessary information in your initial email. In order to input your application, we must be able to:
Identify the company you are with or your name
Identify what report type you are wanting (Full or Express Residential, Roommate, Full or Criminal-Only Employment, etc.)
Receive a signed application via email attachment, TenantTech, Entrata, or Appfolio
If we cannot identify your client name or the report type, we cannot deliver the proper product to the proper individual. Without an authorization signature from the applicant, we cannot screen the applicant beyond criminal history.
2. Ensure the handwriting is legible and submit an ID. If we are unable to read the name and date of birth of the applicant, we must clarify with you before we enter it into our system and begin the process. You can prevent this delay by identifying and correcting poor handwriting before sending the application to us, and encouraging use of pens rather than pencil, which can appear faint when scanned or photographed. Submitting an ID also helps verify name and date of birth, which can prevent missed aliases, false information, and confirm criminal history.
3. Call us if you do not hear back within 2-3 business days. At Bemrose Consulting, we are dedicated to our promise of a 2-3 day business day turnaround, every time. We will only hold an application for longer if we receive permission directly from you to do so, or there are abnormal circumstances preventing us from progressing. If your report is not delivered within that time frame, we request you call us at 503-419-6539 so we can immediately resolve any issues.
It Takes Two: What Helps Us, Helps You
1. Ensure the application is as complete as possible. Leaving out phone numbers, emails, and/or names can slow down the process, particularly when screeners need to reach independent landlords or small companies that may not have a public contact. Check out our previous blog post for more on how application completeness affects screening!
2. Encourage applicants to contact previous landlords and give notice at their current rental. This can help in a few ways:
If references anticipate our calls and emails, they will be more receptive to providing information and less fearful of a scam, leading to quicker response times.
It will help the applicant confirm they have up-to-date contact details for past landlords they may not have spoken to in a while.
Some landlords do not provide references until the applicant has given notice. Without notice, we may not be able to obtain full rental history, leading to unnecessary denials or conditional qualifications.
As the saying goes, fortune favors the prepared. Ensuring the application is legible, complete, and ready for screening helps us to move through the process quickly and efficiently, helping you to avoid vacancies and setting up a successful tenancy.
DISCLAIMER: READ CAREFULLY: The information provided in this article is not considered legal advice and is given only for information purposes. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR LEGAL COUNSEL.