How to Check If You Have Bad Rental History

Understanding your rental history is crucial for anyone seeking new housing. This record provides landlords with insights into your past tenancy, influencing future housing applications. Checking your rental history allows you to address any discrepancies before they impact your ability to secure a new residence.

Sources of Rental History Data

Your rental history is compiled from various sources that track your behavior as a tenant.

Specialized tenant screening bureaus, such as Experian RentBureau, TransUnion SmartMove, and CoreLogic SafeRent, are primary collectors of this information. These companies gather data specifically for landlords, often including previous rental addresses, lease durations, and payment performance.

Beyond these specialized bureaus, your standard credit reports also contribute to your rental profile. While not exclusively rental-focused, credit reports may show collection accounts from landlords or utility companies related to a previous tenancy. Past landlords themselves serve as a direct source of information. Landlords frequently contact previous property managers to inquire about your payment habits, property care, and adherence to lease terms.

Court records represent another significant data source, particularly for severe issues. Filings related to evictions, unlawful detainers, or other landlord-tenant disputes become part of your public record. These legal judgments can significantly impact your future rental prospects.

Obtaining Your Rental History Reports

Accessing your rental history reports involves specific steps to gather information from each relevant source.

For reports from major tenant screening bureaus, you can request them directly from the companies. Similar to credit reports, you may be entitled to a free copy of your consumer report annually under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

To obtain your free annual credit reports from the three major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—you can visit AnnualCreditReport.com. This platform allows you to access one free report from each bureau every 12 months, which may contain rental-related collections or debts.

For court records, particularly those concerning evictions or landlord-tenant judgments, you can search public databases. Many local or state court systems provide online portals for civil case lookups, though some may require in-person visits to the clerk’s office or a small fee for copies. Searching these records by name can reveal any past legal actions. Contacting your previous landlords can provide insight; you can request written confirmations of your payment history or reference letters to understand what information might be shared with future landlords.

Interpreting Your Rental History Report

Once you have obtained your rental history reports, understanding the specific entries is important for identifying potential negative markers.

Evictions appear as court filings or judgments. These records can remain on your history for several years. Late payments are often recorded with details such as the number of days past due (e.g., 30, 60, or 90 days) and the frequency of such occurrences over a tenancy.

Unpaid rent or damages can appear as collection accounts. These entries usually include the amount owed and the date it was reported. Property damage claims might also be listed.

Other significant issues, such as breaches of lease agreements, could be noted. This might include violations like unauthorized occupants, consistent noise complaints, or breaking a lease early without proper notice. Multiple such entries can signal a pattern of behavior that landlords consider undesirable.

Correcting Errors in Your Rental History

Discovering inaccurate or outdated information on your rental history reports necessitates a formal dispute process.

For errors on tenant screening or credit bureau reports, you should submit a dispute directly to the reporting company. This involves writing a dispute letter, clearly identifying the incorrect information, and providing supporting documentation such as payment receipts, lease agreements, or court dismissal notices. The reporting company is required to investigate your claim within 30 days.

It is also advisable to directly contact the data furnisher, which is the landlord or collection agency that reported the information. You can request that they update or correct the inaccurate details they submitted to the bureaus. Providing them with evidence can facilitate a quicker resolution. If the error pertains to court records, you may need to contact the court directly to request a correction.

Following up on your disputes is important to ensure corrections are made. Keep detailed records of all communications, including dates, names of individuals you spoke with, and copies of all submitted documents. If a dispute is resolved and information is corrected, you can request an updated copy of your report to verify the changes. This proactive approach helps maintain an accurate rental history, which can improve your chances when applying for new housing.