NY Co-op Housing Expels Convicted Sex-Offender

A cooperative housing project in Queens New York was in shock when one of the tenants realized that a new sublessor was listed on the New York State registry of sex offenders. Though there was no requirement for a criminal background check to live in the housing unit, when the management considered the complaints of the other tenants, the offender was asked to leave.

Canada’s privacy laws prevent such open knowledge of criminal pasts, and unlike American states, there is no publicly available registry to search the names and whereabouts of sexual predators. Checking the criminal histories of would-be tenants is the best option for landlords to avoid putting their tenants at risk.

Conducting tenant checks has other advantages as well. Speaking to former landlords or checking a new tenant’s credit history are good ways of ensuring that the rent agreement will be honoured. If tenants have a criminal history in narcotics, their actions in the rental unit can cause expensive property damage, and ruin a good reputation.

BackCheck is Canada’s leading background checking provider. Our quick and convenient services are available to give insight into who your tenants truly are, and what risk they pose to your rental units. Our online myBackCheck option is simple and efficient, and provides an easy way of checking tenant backgrounds right from your office.