By James B. Clarke, Executive Director & Tim Coyle, Sacramento Lobbyist

It’s no secret.  The cost of providing call-in tenant screening services continues to increase.  And, while our call-in service and products are some of the least expensive in the area, we are continuing to look for ways to ease the financial overhead for our members. 

With this in mind, we are enhancing our online tenant screening service.  It’s a “do-it-yourself” tenant background check that is easy and more affordable.  Better, it’s available to you 24/7. 

For example, a Quad Check (two credit bureaus, eviction check, and background on bounced checks) is only $22 if you call it in to one of our tenant screeners; however, doing the screening through our online service drops the price by more than 30% – to just $15.

Here is the list of those affordable, available online reports at reduced rates.

•One Credit File…$6.
•Two Credit Reports…$11.
•Eviction Check…$5.
•Telecheck…$2.
•Eviction and One Credit…$8.
•Eviction and Two Credit…$15.
•Quad Check…$15.
•Triple Check…$12.

As another example, one credit file is $7 versus $6 if you do it online.  You can see how cost-effective it is to do your own tenant screening from your home or office – at any time of the day, 365 days per year.  Contact Cindy or Lorraine at our main office to sign up for this great service.

Waste Hauler Franchise Proposal Would Be a Killer

As you may know, the Bureau of Sanitation of the City of Los Angeles is proposing to eliminate competition between the existing 140 commercial waste haulers who service the city to create a franchise system that will supposedly bring the city millions of dollars in new revenue.  

That may be so, but where do you think the money will come from?  It will come from you, of course.  Apartment owners and others who currently use private waste haulers will have to pick up the tab for this new city revenue enhancer.  

Our pocketbooks are already trashed from carrying the burden of the L. A. Housing Department!  Now the city wants to help cure their financial woes by putting another yoke on the backs of its oxen-like citizenry.

The trash proposal would create 5-6 “waste shed” areas around the city.  Private waste haulers would be invited to submit proposals for servicing these waste sheds. 

Two or three haulers would be “selected” to service each area.  They would be the only operators allowed to do business in the areas they are assigned.  Their costs would be determined through negotiations with the city.  Remember, the haulers will have to pay the city a franchise fee for the “privilege” of having a contract.  Prices for apartment owners will have to go up. Your existing contract will become null and void, like your leases did when rent control was introduced in the city. You also may have to use multiple haulers depending where your buildings are located.  And, you will be forced to condition your renters to recycle their trash!  We cannot tolerate this action by the Bureau of Sanitation.  Protest this action to your Councilmember by phone or go online to http://www.lacitysan.org/ to fill out their comment form on this issue.