More Than A Number

Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana recently signed a new bill into law that gives teachers near-total immunity from lawsuits as a result of disciplinary actions against students provided that the teachers act “reasonably and in good faith.” Under the new law, for which State School Superintendent Tony Bennett campaigned, judges can now dismiss lawsuits at the beginning of the legal process.

The bill was Gov. Daniels’ top non-economic priority for the 2009 legislative session. Daniels said, “As of today, Indiana has the nation’s strongest law protecting teachers against unruly students, unreasonable parents, and lawyers of all kinds. But the new law is just a start. We need to change old habits and liberate teachers from a culture of resignation to unacceptable student behavior.”

Under current law, a background check is optional. However, the bill will require tougher screening in the form of an employee check of every teacher before he or she is hired. A public database of teachers convicted or drug and/or sex crimes will be created as well. Additionally, the bill will require school districts to conduct checks in counties where a teacher has lived previously, and school officials can elect to perform a national online employee check on potential hires.

National Apartment Association Projects Increase in U.S. Renting Population

A new report by the National Apartment Association (NAA) predicts that there will be $1.1 trillion in demand for new apartment buildings by 2030. Furthermore, the association foresees U.S. home ownership declining by eight percentage points or more as apartment living rises to accommodate a growing immigrant population, Generation Y housing needs, and a shift towards urban living that will require high-density residential options. According to the report, the U.S. renting population will grow by more than 10 million in the next 10 years. Christopher E. Lee, president of CEL & Associates, Inc. and special advisor to the NAA, said, “A number of factors are aligning to create a significant shift in U.S. housing trends, bringing us nearer to a European model, where homeownership tends to be below 60%.”

The new data highlights the need for vigilant renter screening in the future. With an increase in the number of renters, screening for landlords and property managers will become an even more valuable service to ensure that units are being rented to responsible tenants.

Vacancies on the Rise

Anecdotal evidence from around the country suggests that as the number of foreclosures rises, rent prices continue to drop to entice displaced families and other previous homeowners. Although the National Apartment Association predicts that the renting population will grow by 10 million renters in the next 10 years, many local news sources have reported current and short-term increases in apartment vacancies as would-be tenants elect to move in with family and friends to save money rather than rent their own apartments. A renter criminal check will be an important step for any landlord or property manager once vacancy levels begin to subside, but they shouldn’t be overlooked now, either. A renter eviction search and background check can provide crucial information about prospective tenants. When every unit counts, it pays to screen and make sure that the best possible applicants are selected.