System and Method for Tenant Screening

• US 20080263058A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Peden
• Original Assignee: John Peden
• Inventors: Peden, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,987,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and method for collecting and dispersing information for the purpose of tenant screening includes, according to one exemplary embodiment, a database configured to both receive information regarding tenants and also provide information to landlords about potential tenants. Landlords registered with a consumer information bureau for the purpose of tenant screening as both a participant and client, have access to the database. Registered landlords provide tenant information regarding current and previous tenants, and are also able to view the tenant information associated with potential tenants. The tenant information provides the landlord with detailed information supplied by previous landlords of the potential tenant.

Claims

1. A tenant information system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, said memory storing instructions executable by said processor and a database of tenant information;

wherein said memory includes instructions which, when accessed by said processor generates a client interface;

wherein said client interface is configured to receive and display said tenant information from said memory and to provide said tenant information to a requesting client.

2. The tenant information system of claim 1, wherein said tenant information comprises payment history of said tenant, complaints about said tenant, complaints by said tenant, deposits paid and returned to said tenant, damage done to a leased property by said tenant, evictions started and completed against said tenant, abandonment of a lease or property by said tenant, smoking status of a property, smoking status of said tenant, pet permission of a property, duration of occupation of a property by said tenant, credit information of said tenant, criminal history of said tenant, outstanding liens of said tenant, court orders against said tenant, and public records of said tenant.

3. The tenant information system of claim 2, wherein:

said database comprises an electronic database;

said electronic database is communicatively connected to at least one server; and

said tenant information system being accessible by a client via one of a peer-to-peer network, a direct-connect network, or a wireless network.

4. The tenant information system of claim 3, wherein said database is configured to receive tenant information from said client;

wherein said system is configured to create a tenant profile, edit said tenant profile, augment current tenant information regarding a tenant, and request tenant information from said electronic database regarding a tenant.

5. The tenant information system of claim 1, wherein said client interface comprises:

a client input interface; and

a client query interface;

wherein said client input interface is configured to allow said client to create a tenant profile, enter tenant information, and edit tenant information; and

wherein said client query interface is configured to allow said client to request said tenant information regarding a specific tenant and display said client with said tenant information regarding said specific tenant.

6. The tenant information system of claim 5, wherein said client interface comprises a webpage.

7. The tenant information system of claim 1, wherein said tenant information system is configured to receive information about a tenant and allocate a tenant screening risk level to said tenant.

8. The tenant information system of claim 1, wherein said client interface comprises:

an input interface; and

a query interface;

wherein said input interface is configured to receive tenant information from said client; and

said query interface is configured to deliver tenant information to said client.

9. A method of screening tenants comprising:

receiving tenant information from clients;

creating a database storing said tenant information for tenant screening; and

generating an interface configured to allow clients access to said database.

10. The method of screening tenants of claim 9, wherein said clients comprise landlords.

11. The method of screening tenants of claim 9, wherein said tenant information comprises payment history of said tenant, complaints about said tenant, complaints by said tenant, deposits paid and returned to said tenant, damage done to a leased property by said tenant, evictions started and completed against said tenant, abandonment of a lease or property by said tenant, smoking status of a property, smoking status of said tenant, pet permission of a property, duration of occupation of a property by said tenant, credit information of said tenant, criminal history of said tenant, outstanding liens of said tenant, court orders against said tenant, and public records of said tenant.

12. The method of screening tenants of claim 9, wherein said database comprises an electronic database;

wherein said electronic database is accessible to clients via an online interface;

said online interface configured to both accept said tenant information from said clients and to provide tenant information regarding a specific tenant at said clients request.

13. The method of screening tenants of claim 12, wherein said online interface is configured to enable said clients to create a tenant profile, submit tenant information regarding a tenant, and request tenant information regarding a tenant;

wherein said online interface access said electronic database to store said tenant profile and said tenant information.

14. The method of screening tenants of claim 13, wherein said online interface is configured to restrict access to said tenant information to registered clients.

15. A tenant information system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, said memory storing instructions executable by said processor and a database of tenant information;

wherein said memory includes instructions which, when accessed by said processor generates a client interface in the form of a webpage;

wherein said client interface is configured to receive and display said tenant information from said memory and to provide said tenant information to a requesting client

wherein said database comprises an electronic database, said electronic database is communicatively connected to at least one server, and said tenant information system being accessible by a client via one of a peer-to-peer network, a direct-connect network, or a wireless network; and

wherein said tenant information system is configured to assess said tenant information and allocate a tenant screening risk level to said tenant.

16. The tenant information system of claim 15, wherein said tenant information comprises payment history of said tenant, complaints about said tenant, complaints by said tenant, deposits paid and returned to said tenant, damage done to a leased property by said tenant, evictions started and completed against said tenant, abandonment of a lease or property by said tenant, smoking status of a property, smoking status of said tenant, pet permission of a property, duration of occupation of a property by said tenant, credit information of said tenant, criminal history of said tenant, outstanding liens of said tenant, court orders against said tenant, and public records of said tenant.

17. The tenant information system of claim 15, wherein said database is configured to receive tenant information from said client;

wherein said system is configured to create a tenant profile, edit said tenant profile, augment current tenant information regarding a tenant, and request tenant information from said electronic database regarding a tenant.

18. The tenant information system of claim 15, wherein said client interface comprises:

a client input interface; and

a client query interface;

wherein said client input interface is configured to allow said client to create a tenant profile, enter tenant information, and edit tenant information; and

wherein said client query interface is configured to allow said client to request said tenant information regarding a specific tenant and display said client with said tenant information regarding said specific tenant.

19. The tenant information system of claim 15, wherein said client interface comprises:

an input interface; and

a query interface;

wherein said input interface is configured to receive tenant information from said client; and

said query interface is configured to deliver tenant information to said client.