Quick Answer
If you apply for a rental, expect the following to show up in the tenant screening report: credit history, rental history, evictions, criminal background, employment status, income information, and identity details. Some reports also include a tenant risk score or information from public records.
What Information Is Included in a Tenant Screening Report?
The specific categories of information included in a tenant screening report are determined by the company that prepares the report and, in some cases, specific categories are requested by a landlord or property manager. Tenant screening reports typically include several different categories of information pulled from multiple sources, including:
- Personal identifying information (name, date of birth, and other identifying details)
- Credit information
- Rental history
- Eviction records
- Criminal background information
- Employment and income verification
- Address history
- Sex offender registry information, if applicable
- National watchlist information, if applicable
Do Tenant Screening Reports Show Credit Information?
Yes. Most tenant screening reports show credit information. Depending on the report - credit scores, credit summaries, payment history, outstanding debts, collections accounts, bankruptcies, and any publicly available information may be included in tenant screening reports.
Why is credit information included?
Landlords review credit information to determine if an applicant has the consistent income to pay the required rent and a demonstrated ability to pay rent on time. A lower credit score does not automatically result in a denial, but negative credit information may affect rental decisions.
The amount of credit information included can vary between screening companies and reporting products.
What Rental History Appears on a Tenant Screening Report?
Tenant screening reports often include rental history information from previous landlords, property managers, or rental databases.
Rental history can include:
- Previous rental addresses
- Lease dates
- Payment history
- Late rent payments
- Lease violations
- Property damage claims
- Outstanding balances
- Eviction history
Do Criminal Records Show Up on Tenant Screening Reports?
Yes. Tenant screening reports typically include criminal background information from public records and other sources.
The information that appears can vary based on the screening company. Some reports may include criminal convictions and other legally reportable records, including sex offender status.
Some state and local governments restrict how landlords can use criminal history when making housing decisions. Landlords must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws when evaluating criminal background information.
Can Evictions Appear on a Tenant Screening Report?
Yes. Prior evictions can appear on tenant screening reports and are commonly reviewed during the application process.
An eviction record may include:
- eviction filings
- court judgments
- dates of proceedings
- related public records information
Even if an eviction occurred several years ago, it may still appear on a screening report depending on the state’s reporting window and local laws.
How Far Back Do Tenant Screening Reports Go?
Typically, negative information on tenant screening reports can remain for up to seven years. This may include eviction filings, lawsuits, and other records.
Reporting rules can vary based on the type of information and state law. If you believe outdated information appears on your report, you have the right to dispute it.
Can Tenant Screening Reports Contain Errors?
Yes. Tenant screening reports can contain errors and they are a relatively common occurence.
Common errors on tenant screening reports:
- Incorrect personal details
- Mixed files which show someone else’s data as yours
- Inaccurate criminal records
- Incorrect eviction information
- Outdated records
- Identity theft-related errors
- Inaccurate employment or financial details
Tenant screening reports are used by landlords and property managers to evaluate rental applicants before making housing decisions. The information they contain plays a significant role in whether your rental application is approved or denied, and may also impact the terms of your lease agreement, including security deposit amounts, co-signer requirements, or other rental conditions.
Even minor errors can affect a rental application. Applicants who discover errors have the right to dispute the information with the tenant screening company that prepared the report.
What Are Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides protection against unlawful credit and background check reporting practices for consumers. These rights include tenant screening reports.
FCRA rights for renters:
- Receive notice when information in a report is used against you
- Request a copy of the report
- Review the information in the report
- Dispute errors in the report
- Have disputed information investigated within 30 days
- Request correction of incorrect information
- File a lawsuit if needed
- Seek compensation if you’ve been harmed
The FCRA helps promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy in consumer reporting for both credit reports and background checks, including tenant screening reports.
What Happens If You Are Denied Housing Based on a Tenant Screening Report?
If you are denied housing because of information found in your rental report, you will usually receive a notice of the denial - called an adverse action notice.
This notice typically provides information about:
- The company that ran the report
- Your right to ask for and receive a copy of the report
- Your right to dispute inaccurate information
If misleading, inaccurate, false, incomplete, outdated, or unreportable information contributed to a housing denial, you can dispute the report, seek correction of the errors, and work with a lawyer to seek compensation.
When is a Landlord Required to Send an Adverse Action Notice?
A landlord is required to send an adverse action notice any time negative information in a tenant screening report is used against a rental applicant or tenant, including outright rental denials or unfavorable lease terms.
Common reasons a renter will receive an adverse action notice:
- rental application denials
- requiring higher security deposits
- requiring use of a co-signer on the lease
- requiring higher monthly rent amounts
Whether the negative information in the tenant screening report is accurate or inaccurate, it still leads to the same outcome. If the negative information is accurate, renters will have to wait for mandatory reporting windows to close before the information will fall off the tenant screening report. If the negative information is an error, it can be disputed and removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can landlords see your credit score on a tenant screening report?
Generally, yes. Many tenant screening reports include a credit score or credit-related information. The exact details and credit score will vary by tenant screening company.
Do dismissed charges show up on tenant screening reports?
Yes. Dismissed charges can appear on a tenant screening report, depending on the reporting source, state laws, and whether any errors occur. You can dispute dismissed charges on your report if: (1) the informatoin is inaccurate, (2) the report lists the charge, but doesn’t indicate it was dismissed, (3) the record has been sealed or expunged, or (4) the information is outdated and not reportable anymore.
How can you check your tenant screening report before applying?
You can ask for a copy from a background check company that provides rental screening services (like TransUnion SmartMove, TurboTenant, etc.) or you can review the information that will be in your tenant screening report by looking at your credit reports (which you can get for free), your available public records, and your criminal records (if applicable).
Can you rent an apartment with a negative screening report?
Yes. Every rental has different criteria for approving and denying applications. Simply having a negative screening report does not always mean you get denied. Approval varies based on the landlord and rental criteria at each property. Some landlords may consider additional factors such as income, rental references, or explanations regarding negative information. And, some landlords will attempt to mitigate the risk associated with a negative report by offering different financial terms in the lease agreement (such as requiring a higher deposit).
How do you remove errors from a tenant screening report?
You remove errors by disputing them with the tenant screening company that prepared the report. You must provide supporting documentation to prove the error.
Will old evictions still affect your application?
Most likely, yes. The effect of an eviction depends on how old the eviction is, the rental scoring model used, and reporting rules in the state where you’re seeking a rental. But generally old evictions will show on your tenant screening report and will be a strong factor in any final approval or denial decisions.
Can identity theft affect your tenant screening report?
Yes. Identity theft can cause incorrect accounts, addresses, criminal records, or other information to be associated with your file, resulting in rental reporting errors.
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