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Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters

It is a two edged sword, isn't it?
On one hand we have this guy
John Jones III told CNN affiliate KPIX he had "indescribable emotions and feelings" after Oakland's new ordinance passed. He was released from prison in 2012, but even with a job as an aviation mechanic, he's had trouble finding a home, he said.
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who's trying to do the right thing. Not sure if he is an exception or the norm.
This
Some properties are exempt, including single-family homes and government-funded housing. Landlords will also still be able to consider whether a potential renter is a on the state's sex offender registry.
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should put everyone's mind at ease.
 
aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN


From the land of fruits and nuts:



Unbelievable.



Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.


Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
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Pretty soon, they'll ban credit checks. At that point, you'll be expected to rent to anyone for any reason. As a longtime landlord, I've always said if I don't want someone in the house, they ain't getting the house, and no law will change that.
 
trixare4kids said:
Years ago, I could have rented a home to a smooth talking shyster with six judgments against him if it weren't for a background check being on my side. This state... Hopefully, the idiocy of Oakland remains isolated.
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Does the new law block CIVIL claims??? I see the law referring to criminal but I do believe civil judgements are not criminal...

Does the new law block ALL back round checks or just the criminal ones?
 
Mashmont said:
Pretty soon, they'll ban credit checks. At that point, you'll be expected to rent to anyone for any reason. As a longtime landlord, I've always said if I don't want someone in the house, they ain't getting the house, and no law will change that.
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I agree with that sentient too, so you just rent it to your best candidate. That's what you do anyway, right?
 
aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN


From the land of fruits and nuts:



Unbelievable.



Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.


Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
Click to expand...

I know a lot about Oakland, CA. First time I lived there was around 1943 and it was a totally different community. Then it was full of hard workers. Drugs were never mentioned. Race problems did not exist.

Not true today. If Libby Schaaf is still mayor and I think she is, she promised to fix things. But things keep getting worse.
 
aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN
Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.

Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
Click to expand...

The bias and inaccuracy is impressive in your OP. 'democratic' war on drugs??? Seems every rabid right politician I can think of embraces 'get tough' laws leading to massive incarceration. Oklahoma is a bastion of the rabid right and we have one of the highest incarceration rates, women especially.

Next the absurdity of blaming employer's racial discrimination on a new law boggles the mind. Employers were picking those who look like them as a hiring metric way before any such law.

Last- it isn't regulations stopping affordable housing, it's the private sector investing in the far more profitable upscale market and a paltry attempt to build affordable housing.

Try this again but with more facts and less biased opinion... :peace
 
SkyChief said:
A nearby city of Richmond pays gang members a $1000/month stipend to NOT commit crimes!

Spreading some wealth to criminals - - that's how we roll in California.
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No. It's how you roll by posting false information. By making a claim you can't prove. You can't provide evidence of fact to prove what you say. Without that evidence, your words are worthless.
 
aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN


From the land of fruits and nuts:



Unbelievable.



Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.


Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
Click to expand...

It might be surprising to some but I actually agree with this kind of law. :yes:

I am already on record advocating do the crime, do the time, WELCOME back to ALL rights and privileges when you've paid your debt to society.

I have no problem doing a financials check to see if you can actually afford a rental, and/or checking prior references to see if you've been in default or had to be evicted.

Meanwhile, Landlords still retain the right to inspect premises, deal with noise and/or criminal complaints. Eviction for non-payment, delinquency, noise, damages, and other concerns is still allowed.

But when it comes to a criminal record? NO!

People seem to keep wanting to punish, even after the specified legal punishments have been fulfilled.

That is NO WAY to prevent recidivism.

So I believe this is a good law, and I have no problem supporting it. Nationally, as far as I am concerned.
 
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aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN


From the land of fruits and nuts:



Unbelievable.



Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.


Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
Click to expand...



30% of adult Americans have a criminal record. What is your solution?
 
trixare4kids said:
Keep guessing.
You haven't a clue.
We don't rent to deadbeats who fail to pay their bills and have judgments against them. Running a credit check on potential applicants is legal in the state of CA. References wouldn't have told us what we needed to know from a credit check.
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That is not by far the 0nly law Oakland has that favors deadbeats and or criminals.
 
bluesmoke said:
No. It's how you roll by posting false information. By making a claim you can't prove. You can't provide evidence of fact to prove what you say. Without that evidence, your words are worthless.
Click to expand...

"Operation Peacemaker invites some of the most hardened youth into the fold: often teenage boys suspected of violent crimes but whom authorities don't have enough evidence to charge criminally.

These fellows must pledge to put their guns away for a more peaceful life. They are hooked up with mentors -- the reformed criminals-turned-city workers -- who offer advice, guidance and support to get jobs. If the fellows show good behavior after six months, they can earn a stipend of up to $1,000 a month."

Richmond, California: Paying kids not to kill - CNN

Hope this helps! :2wave:
 
aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN


From the land of fruits and nuts:



Unbelievable.



Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.


Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
Click to expand...

Equal protection of the law for unemployment compensation in our at-will employment States can solve this problem as well.
 
I have two properties. The broker who handles them only runs a credit check and that's fine with me.

Working around construction, and as a home repair small business guy, I dealt with quite a few ex cons who I trust completely with a clients purse laying next to their work.

I have a tenant in one unit with who served a 12 month stint some years back, but he was recommended to me by a good friend who filled me in on the guy. He's a great tenant and very conscientious about everything regarding the house.

I had two younger occupants in my other unit recommended by my broker who partied a lot and caused me a quite a few headaches. I had to finally tell them to move on after the lease agreement expired. They were pretty good kids, but just too wild to be living in a quiet older generation type neighborhood.
 
I own several rental properties and have never run a criminal background check. Never.
Judgements come up on a credit check so I don't know why you would need a criminal check.
I tell all my applicants the only thing I'm looking for are evictions, or any other housing related issue. So don't bother of you have those.
I currently have a guy with 6 felonies from the 90's working for me, he is one of the best people I have ever met.
 
Captain Adverse said:
It might be surprising to some but I actually agree with this kind of law. :yes:

I am already on record advocating do the crime, do the time, WELCOME back to ALL rights and privileges when you've paid your debt to society.

I have no problem doing a financials check to see if you can actually afford a rental, and/or checking prior references to see if you've been in default or had to be evicted.

Meanwhile, Landlords still retain the right to inspect premises, deal with noise and/or criminal complaints. Eviction for non-payment, delinquency, noise, damages, and other concerns is still allowed.

But when it comes to a criminal record? NO!

People seem to keep wanting to punish, even after the specified legal punishments have been fulfilled.

That is NO WAY to prevent recidivism.

So I believe this is a good law, and I have no problem supporting it. Nationally, as far as I am concerned.
Click to expand...

I think it may be an insurance issue, too. Someone is going to blow it for the good ones.
 
notquiteright said:
The bias and inaccuracy is impressive in your OP. 'democratic' war on drugs??? Seems every rabid right politician I can think of embraces 'get tough' laws leading to massive incarceration. Oklahoma is a bastion of the rabid right and we have one of the highest incarceration rates, women especially.
Click to expand...

Sorry, that was my fault for the ambiguity. I didn't mean democratic as in democratic party, I meant the drug war is a product of democracy.
 
Captain Adverse said:
It might be surprising to some but I actually agree with this kind of law. :yes:

I am already on record advocating do the crime, do the time, WELCOME back to ALL rights and privileges when you've paid your debt to society.
Click to expand...

Including gun rights?
 
bluesmoke said:
30% of adult Americans have a criminal record. What is your solution?
Click to expand...

Solution to what? Most of the "crimes" people are convicted of are cases where the "criminal" didn't harm anyone or damage anybody else's property, they are simply crimes against the state. In the end, the owner of the property should decide whom to rent to, using any criteria he desires.
 
Let's say you are a young family starting out and wanting to purchase a home in a key location known for its good school district, easy access to work etc... but to offset the cost of the mortgage you decide to turn the basement into a two bedroom rental with their own private access. Would you be inclined to do a criminal background check on those wishing to rent the space seeing it is being shared with your family?

What about a couple who purchase a double in an area they love that again with rental money could help them pay the property off early and with the plans to convert the two spaces into their dream home, or put them in a good financial position to sell the two units and move elsewhere. If that was you investing your hard earned money for the future, would you feel a need to do a criminal background check?
 
aociswundumho said:
Oakland is the first California city to ban criminal background checks on renters - CNN


From the land of fruits and nuts:



Unbelievable.



Note that two of these problems have been caused directly by government - mass incarceration due to the democratic drug war, and all of the government zoning and regulation in California which prevents new housing units from being built. The lesson, as always, is that the problems caused by government intervention into the economy will always be met with even more government intervention into the economy.

This idiotic ordinance passed by idiotic leftists is similar to the "ban the box" law, which prohibited employers from asking about your criminal record on job applications.
That law resulted in an increase of racial discrimination.


Are leftists incapable of learning from their past mistakes? Or perhaps they do learn, but pass laws like this knowing it will make things worse? They're either stupid or evil, take your pick.
Click to expand...

Wonder if this will shield landlords from civil trials if they rent to a rapist and he attacks another tenant?
 
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