Since May 2010, The Québec Landlords Association (APQ) offers the Evaluation 360 without causing problems for tenants. It’s in light of the recent media outcry by tenants groups, that the APQ would emphasize that it has not received any negative comments, both owners and tenants, our new audit process potential tenants.
Informed consent before proceeding
Since May 2010, the Québec Landlords Association (APQ) has asked landlords to obtain the prospective tenant's written consent and to provide it with a written copy before the investigation process is initiated.
"When we set-up this comprehensive investigation process, our goal was to avoid any misunderstanding by insisting that the landlord provide a copy of the written consent signed by the tenant. This consent form can be sent to us in electronically by a mobile device, smartphone, or via our secure internet server and intelligent software which has enbaled landlords to view the investigation results directly on their computer desktop since December 2005", states Martin Messier, President of the Québec Landlords Association (APQ)
To transmit a file, click on “Browse” and choose the file to be transmitted. Then click on “Download”. A message will appear indicating that the transfer was well carried out.
This link is protected to avoid any theft of personal information.
This method of operation provides protection for the landlord, as well as the tenant by ensuring that the tenant has given their informed consent, and the fact that this data is kept secure and encrypted according to the highest standards in the event of a complaint to the Access to Information Commission.
In order to ensure that this added level of protection doesn't slow down the tenant investigation process, the Québec Landlords Association (APQ) has taken steps to prolong its service hours since May 2010 to include Monday to Friday from 8:30AM to Midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
We recommend that landlords take the time to consider all of the aspects of the results of the tenant investigation before making a decision. It would be risky to refuse a potential tenant solely on the basis of a partial investigation which could result in making the wrong choice, or discrimination regarding that tenant.
The results obtained through Evaluation 360 can form the basis for further discussions between the landlord and the prospective tenant to address items of concern raised by the investigation and to explore alternative solutions such as obtaining a third party to guarantee the performance of the tenant's obligations under the lease.
The tenant evaluation services offered by the Québec Landlords Association (APQ) evaluate a prospective tenant's credit history, information concerning employment and their current landlord, not only with respect to their rent payment habits, but also regarding their relationship with their landlord, as well as checks of current or past files at the Québec Rental Board, and the civil and criminal courts. The Québec Landlords Association (APQ) also offers the possibility to confirm the information concerning their current landlord because, in some cases, the landlord reference provided by the tenant may turn out to be a friend of the tenant and not their true current landlord.
For more information, call us at 877-382-9670 or info@apq.org