Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(111,304 posts)
Tue Dec 20, 2016, 02:00 AM Dec 2016

Bill would require background checks to renew real estate licenses

Criminal background checks would be conducted on real estate professionals seeking to renew their South Carolina licenses under a proposed bill.

The bill's sponsor, South Carolina state Rep. Chip Huggins, said he decided to propose the measure after Spartanburg County real estate agent Todd Kohlepp was recently charged with kidnapping and seven counts of murder.

Huggins, a Republican from Columbia who is a former realtor, said he also is working with Rep. Eddie Tallon on legislation that might specify which types of crimes would disqualify someone from being licensed as a real estate professional in South Carolina. Tallon, a Republican from Spartanburg, is a retired state law enforcement officer.

Kohlhepp was a registered sex offender when state officials approved his application for a real estate license in 2006.

Read more: http://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2016/12/19/bill-would-require-criminal-background-checks-renew-real-estate-licenses/95621006/

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Bill would require background checks to renew real estate licenses (Original Post) TexasTowelie Dec 2016 OP
What the... HassleCat Dec 2016 #1
One reason why I believe it might be a proper safeguard TexasTowelie Dec 2016 #2
Criminals should never get out, I guess. HassleCat Dec 2016 #3
I firmly believe that once someone has served their sentence that they should be able to return to TexasTowelie Dec 2016 #4

TexasTowelie

(111,304 posts)
2. One reason why I believe it might be a proper safeguard
Tue Dec 20, 2016, 02:25 AM
Dec 2016

is that while real estate agents deal with the public, they also are frequently alone with both sellers and potential buyers in the property that is going on the market. Someone that has a record of sexual assault or abduction could present a danger. In addition, having people with criminal histories creates a liability for the company employing the agent if something does occur. While it is ultimately the responsibility of the employer to check the legal status of their agents periodically, it most likely will not occur unless there is something to prompt that check.

In addition, there are the fiduciary crimes such as forgery, fraud and theft that would appear on a criminal record. If an agent forges documents so that full disclosure about the condition of the property is not revealed then it could not only hurt the buyer, but the company/bank financing the mortgage.

Background checks are required for other occupations which present less risk to the public and are considered unskilled positions. Since being a real estate agent is considered as a skilled occupation it doesn't seem like an unreasonable imposition.

TexasTowelie

(111,304 posts)
4. I firmly believe that once someone has served their sentence that they should be able to return to
Tue Dec 20, 2016, 02:45 AM
Dec 2016

work and given the broadest latitude possible to find suitable employment. However, some reasonable limits on employment are acceptable--I wouldn't want someone that stole thousands of dollars to serve as a bank teller, a child molester to teach school, etc.

The article says that they plan on developing a list of crimes that would prevent someone from obtaining a real estate license and they might also place time limits as a precautionary move. Should someone that got busted for selling a bag of weed twenty years ago be prevented from getting a real estate license? I would say no, but I would not put someone in a situation where they might be tempted to repeat a crime that they committed previously.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»South Carolina»Bill would require backgr...