Can I View My Rental History and Correct It?

Your rental history is a comprehensive record of past tenancies. This record is important for various housing and financial endeavors, including applying for new rental properties or securing a mortgage. Reviewing your rental history provides insight into the information potential landlords or lenders might access.

Defining Rental History

Rental history provides a detailed account of your past behavior as a tenant. This includes the timeliness of your rent payments, lease terms like tenancy duration, renewals, or early terminations. It also covers property damage beyond normal wear and tear, eviction records, and outstanding balances.

While distinct from your credit history, rental records can intersect if unpaid rent leads to collection accounts on your credit report. A comprehensive rental history may also include details about pets, additional occupants, and feedback from previous landlords.

Accessing Your Rental History

You can obtain a copy of your rental history through several avenues. One method is through your credit reports, as some landlords and property management companies report rent payments to major credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of these three bureaus annually by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, the only authorized federal website for this purpose. You can request all three reports at once or space them out throughout the year to monitor your credit more frequently.

Specialized tenant screening companies also compile detailed rental history reports, which landlords often use during the application process. Prominent companies include LexisNexis, CoreLogic, TransUnion SmartMove, and Experian RentBureau. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to request a free copy of any report used to take an adverse action against you, such as a rental application denial. To obtain these reports, contact the specific screening agency directly and follow their procedures.

Another approach is to contact your previous landlords or property management companies. You can request a copy of your tenancy ledger, which details your payment history, or ask for a letter of reference. Be prepared to provide identifying information like your full name, property address, and dates of tenancy. Compiling your own personal records, including lease agreements, rent receipts, canceled checks, and utility bills, also serves as a valuable personal record.

Understanding and Correcting Your Rental History

Once you have obtained your rental history reports, a careful review is important. Examine each report for accuracy, completeness, and any discrepancies. Common errors might include incorrect payment dates, misattributed eviction records, or inaccurate personal information. Reports may also contain outdated information or mixed files where your data is combined with someone else’s.

If you identify inaccuracies, you have the right to dispute them with the reporting agencies, whether credit bureaus or tenant screening companies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act outlines this process. Submit a written dispute to the agency, clearly describing the inaccurate information and providing supporting documentation like rent receipts or court records. The reporting agency generally has 30 days to investigate your dispute.

If the investigation finds the information inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, the agency must delete or correct it. If the original information provider, such as a landlord, was responsible for the error, you may also need to contact them directly to request a correction or updated submission. After a correction, obtain an updated copy of your report to ensure changes are reflected accurately.

Building and Maintaining Positive Rental History

Cultivating a positive rental history involves consistent, responsible actions throughout your tenancy. Paying your rent on time, every single time, is the most direct way to establish a strong payment record. This demonstrates reliability and financial responsibility to current and future landlords. Consider setting up automated payments to ensure consistency and avoid accidental late payments.

Beyond timely payments, taking good care of the property and adhering to all terms of your lease agreement are equally important. This includes maintaining cleanliness, promptly reporting maintenance issues, and avoiding any actions that could lead to property damage or lease violations.

Open communication with your landlord is also beneficial; if you anticipate a delay in payment or have any concerns, inform them proactively. Providing proper notice before moving out and ensuring all utilities are paid and accounts closed correctly also contribute to a favorable record. Some rent reporting services can also help build your credit by reporting your on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, which can be particularly useful if your landlord does not already do so.