Contemporary Information Corp is a Duluth, Georgia based provider of criminal records and tenant screening services established in 1986. Led by CEO William Bower and chief financial officer Sabrina Bower, Contemporary Information Corp supports rental housing, insurance, and landlord clients with access to extensive housing court and criminal public record databases. The company maintains more than 30 million housing court records and over a billion criminal records, refining data through proprietary heuristic matching and a Regulatory Matrix Compliance Filter. Its services comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and industry best practices, supported by regular third party testing. In the context of multifamily housing, organizations like Contemporary Information Corp illustrate how consumer reporting agencies assist property managers in making consistent, compliant leasing decisions while balancing operational efficiency with regulatory obligations.
Why Multifamily Housing Managers Need Consumer Reporting Agencies
Consumer Reporting Agencies, or CRAs, are regulated entities that collect and organize consumer data to support lawful decision-making in housing. In the multifamily sector, they provide standardized tenant screening reports by compiling permissible information such as credit data, public records, and identity verification, while ensuring compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and fair housing requirements. By managing authorization, accuracy, and dispute processes, CRAs help property managers make informed, consistent leasing decisions that balance risk management with legal and ethical responsibilities.
In multifamily housing, leasing decisions usually come with operational and financial implications. CRAs then come in to evaluate prospective tenants by compiling data like criminal background information, rental performance indicators, credit history, and eviction records. All of this information makes it possible for housing providers to determine whether an applicant meets established qualification criteria while still maintaining consistency across a large pool of applicants. CRAs present data to landlords and property managers in a standardized format, reducing the chances of them making subjective decisions.
CRAs also ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA is the legislation that governs how consumer information must be collected, reported, used, and disclosed. CRAs help housing providers to meet these requirements in relation to prospective tenants by ensuring permissible purpose, providing adverse action notices, supporting consumer dispute resolution, and maintaining data accuracy.
CRAs help multifamily operators to apply different screening criteria consistently across different applicants. Applying screening standards universally protects house owners from discrimination allegations. So CRA reports usually support universal evaluation processes that comply with Fair Housing Act principles and other local housing regulations. This consistency also helps protect applicants and property owners while ensuring equitable access to housing.
Multifamily housing operators often manage large portfolios with hundreds or even thousands of units, which makes risk management a critical part of daily operations. Consumer reporting agencies help property managers identify potential financial and behavioral risks that could affect property performance, such as patterns of eviction history or unresolved credit obligations.
Technology has significantly changed how consumer reporting agencies support modern tenant screening. Secure digital platforms, online authorization tools, and automated verification processes allow property managers to evaluate applications quickly and efficiently. At the same time, these systems are designed to protect sensitive consumer data and maintain privacy standards. By investing in strong data security and documentation practices, CRAs help housing providers balance speed and convenience with compliance and transparency.
Consumer reporting agencies also play an important role in protecting applicant rights and promoting transparency. Renters have the right to review their screening reports, dispute inaccurate information, and understand how screening results influence leasing decisions. Responsible CRAs provide clear dispute resolution processes and educational resources that help consumers navigate the screening process. This transparency builds trust and supports fair treatment throughout the rental application experience.
As regulations evolve and tenant screening faces greater public and regulatory scrutiny, the role of consumer reporting agencies continues to expand. Beyond providing data, CRAs now offer compliance guidance, education, and best practice support to housing providers. Their expertise helps align operational needs with legal requirements and consumer protections.
About Contemporary Information Corp
Established in 1986, Contemporary Information Corp is a Duluth, Georgia based provider of housing court and criminal public records for tenant screening and related decision making. Led by CEO William Bower and chief financial officer Sabrina Bower, the company maintains extensive databases and applies proprietary matching and regulatory filtering tools to support accuracy and compliance. Contemporary Information Corp is affiliated with national and regional industry organizations and supports various community and philanthropic initiatives.