How Can I Check My Own Rental History?

Reviewing your rental history helps you understand how landlords and property managers evaluate future housing applications. This record details your past tenancy, allowing you to identify discrepancies or outdated information. Ensuring its accuracy is an important step in securing future housing.

Understanding Your Rental History

Rental history is a detailed account of your past tenancy, compiled from various sources. It includes previous addresses, landlord names, occupancy dates, and payment timeliness, noting any late payments. The report may also include information on lease violations, property damage, or eviction filings.

Specialized tenant screening companies compile this information from public records, credit bureaus, and landlord references. Credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion may also include rental payment data on credit reports if landlords report activity. Landlords and property managers use these reports to assess an applicant’s reliability and financial responsibility before approving a new lease.

Accessing Rental History Reports

You can obtain your rental history through several approaches. One method is to access your standard credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. Some landlords report rent payments, and this information appears on these reports. You are entitled to a free copy from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion once every 12 months via AnnualCreditReport.com.

Specialized tenant screening companies are another source of rental history. Landlords use these companies to vet applicants, as they gather extensive data beyond standard credit reports. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you can request a copy of any report compiled about you. You may need to identify which companies past landlords used or search for major providers to request your data.

You can also contact previous landlords or property management companies for copies of your tenant ledger or rental records. These provide a detailed account of your payment history and any notes on your tenancy. Many landlords are willing to furnish these records upon request.

Reviewing and Correcting Inaccuracies

After obtaining your rental history reports, review the information carefully for accuracy. Verify personal details like names, addresses, and tenancy dates. Check payment records for discrepancies in late payments or outstanding balances. Confirm the accuracy of any listed lease violations, property damage claims, or eviction records.

If you discover inaccuracies on your standard credit reports, dispute them directly with the respective credit bureau. Each bureau (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) provides a process for disputing errors, typically available online or via mail. You will need to provide specific details about the inaccuracy and any supporting documentation, such as proof of payment or corrected landlord information. The credit bureau then has a legally mandated timeframe to investigate and respond to your dispute.

For errors found on reports from tenant screening companies, a similar dispute process applies, also governed by the FCRA. You should contact the specific tenant screening company directly and follow their established procedures for disputing inaccurate information. Provide clear evidence to support your claim, such as communication records with landlords or official payment receipts. It is important to keep detailed records of all communications, submission dates, and evidence provided.