How to Get My Rental History Report for Free
Learn how to access your rental history report for free, gain insights into your tenant profile, and ensure its accuracy for future housing.
A rental history report provides an overview of an individual’s past tenancy. Landlords use it to evaluate new rental applications, assessing a prospective tenant’s reliability and behavior. Understanding its contents and how to obtain it is valuable for renters seeking new housing.
What a Rental History Report Contains
A rental history report typically details various aspects of a tenant’s past behavior and living arrangements. It includes previous rental addresses and lease durations. Payment history, including on-time, late, or missed payments, is a central component. Eviction records are also included.
The report may also list lease violations, such as property damage, unauthorized occupants, or persistent noise complaints. Some reports might incorporate feedback from previous landlords, providing insights. While distinct from a credit report, it often includes financial indicators relevant to tenancy, such as unpaid rent collections or judgments.
Free Methods to Obtain Your Report
Obtaining your rental history report for free requires understanding report types and legal rights. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants consumers specific rights to access their information. This includes general credit reports, which may contain rental data, and specialized tenant screening reports.
For a free credit report, which may include rental payment history, visit AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only federally authorized website for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are entitled to one free report from each bureau every 12 months. Reports can be requested online for immediate access, or by phone or mail, typically mailed within 15 days. Identity verification requires personal information like your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth.
Consumers are entitled to one free report every 12 months from each nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency, as mandated by the FCRA. Several companies specialize in tenant screening and compile rental history reports. Prominent agencies include Experian RentBureau, TransUnion SmartMove, and CoreLogic SafeRent.
To request a free report from Experian RentBureau, visit their website or call 1-877-704-4519. TransUnion SmartMove allows consumers to request tenant and income reports via their website or by calling 1-800-230-9376 (Option 4). For CoreLogic SafeRent, visit SpecialScores.com or call 1-888-333-2413 for your SafeRent Resident Screening Report. These requests also require identity verification to ensure the security of your personal information.
Correcting Report Errors
After obtaining a rental history report, review it for inaccuracies. Errors on these reports can negatively impact future rental applications. If a discrepancy is found, consumers have the right to dispute the information with the reporting agency.
Disputes should be initiated directly with the consumer reporting agency that issued the report. Also contact the information provider, such as a previous landlord, who supplied the incorrect data. When submitting a dispute, describe the error and provide supporting documentation, like proof of identity or payment receipts.
Under the FCRA, the reporting agency must investigate the dispute within 30 to 45 days. They must conduct a reasonable investigation and notify you of the results. Keep thorough records of all correspondence and documentation. If the investigation confirms an error, the agency must correct or delete the inaccurate information from your report.