Hi,
We would like to do our own security check on an individual who is in the process of buying a condo in our association. This individual is known by our residents and has provided us with his annual income which is substantial. Is it possible to do our own financial and criminal security check without going through UCO. This question has been raised by the majority of our board members. I thank you in advance for your response.
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Thanks for your thorough reply to this question, Dave. This just shows what strides UCO, through you (with your knowledge of this from your past government security employment), has made in the investigation of prospective owners and renters. I am saving your reply for our files.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people in your position might have omitted telling the inquirer that "the short answer is yes!" I like the fact you don't hedge on letting associations know their rights.
Our association has been doing our own investigations through another investigations service for over a year with very good results. The application process and results are provided online and turnaround time is excellent. Leave me your email address and I'll contact you with the details.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to my above post, I wanted to add that the service is not an "instant results" type of investigation. The types of investigations are assorted and based on the needs of the association.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteYou stated, "Finally, the UCO program offers a unique service, namely, if you reject an applicant, and the UCO Attorney concurs in your rejection, and the applicant sues your Association, UCO will pay your Association deductible; which is $5,000.00."
This statement can be easily misinterpreted by those unfamiliar with UCO's investigative process. An Association wishing to disapprove an applicant for good cause, should have the investigation reviewed by UCO's house attorney PRIOR to issuing the rejection. If the attorney finds good cause for rejection, and the Association is sued based upon such rejection, then UCO will pay for the insurance deductible.
It is also noteworthy, that approximately twenty Associations have still failed to amend their Declaration of Condominium to provide for a thirty day investigative period, up from the ten days found in the original condominium documents. In the past three years, about twenty associations have adopted the amendment, and twenty are not interested in doing so, even after repeated notification. The Investigation Committee has a list of those associations that still have a ten day approval period. After ten days, the applicant is automatically approved, so UCO is well within their rights to deny such Associations the benefit of attorney review.
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteThe short answer is yes!
But what sort of background check are you contemplating?
The various instant checks on the Internet are essentially worthless.
To obtain a real Credit check from one of the three major Credit Bureaus, you must establish an
account with them. As a Florida Condo. Association you may indeed open such an account.
Remember, a real check requires an unambiguous identity verification; that means a Social Security Number, and the subject of the check must sign an authorization for his/her data to be released.
Criminal background checks, require professional organization with global reach, yes, you can learn to do this, but it will take time and education; and in the end, because you do low volume, it will cost more money.
Finally, the UCO program offers a unique service. An Association wishing to disapprove an applicant for good cause, should have the investigation reviewed by UCO's house attorney PRIOR to issuing the rejection. If the attorney finds good cause for rejection, and the Association is sued based upon such rejection, then UCO will pay for the insurance deductible of $5,000.00
So, be careful before you jump; short of an FBI background check, you will not be able to match the UCO investigation program.
Dave Israel
Dave,
ReplyDeleteThat is sound advise. I concur that the "on-line" searches are virtually useless. Even when background information is known, such searches come back with no record.
Furthermore, the entire C.V. community should be concerned that some of the condo organizations, due to financial hardship, will skirt or ignore "red flag" applicants with the hope that they will be good owners and payers of their maintenance fees.
The mistakes and poor business decisions that are made during this difficult economic downturn will haunt us for years to come.
It is my hope our condo associations follow Dave's advise and not only permit UCO to do the investigation, but abide by its recommendations.
Dave,
ReplyDeleteThat is sound advise. I concur that the "on-line" searches are virtually useless. Even when background information is known, such searches come back with no record.
Furthermore, the entire C.V. community should be concerned that some of the condo organizations, due to financial hardship, will skirt or ignore "red flag" applicants with the hope that they will be good owners and payers of their maintenance fees.
The mistakes and poor business decisions that are made during this difficult economic downturn will haunt us for years to come.
It is my hope our condo associations follow Dave's advise and not only permit UCO to do the investigation, but abide by its recommendations.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehaving two deadbeat units with huge outstanding mortgages-we are very leery about potential buyers and are most thankful for the help and guidance of UCO investigations team ---and heeding advice when those red flags appear --to our dismay, we have been harrassed by both potential buyers rejected and a real estate person but holding our ground. The assns that don't consider long term effect on all of us when they ignore doing investigations or ignore negative results are doing us a great and grave injustice. Renting out units month to month ---shame on them.
ReplyDelete