How to Get Your Rental History Report

A rental history report details an individual’s past behavior as a tenant, providing landlords with insights into their reliability and responsibility. Property owners often use it to assess potential tenants for housing applications. Understanding what is contained within your report and how to access it can help ensure a smoother application process for future housing opportunities.

Information Found in a Rental History Report

A rental history report compiles an individual’s past living situations and rental conduct. This includes previous rental addresses and dates of occupancy. It also contains an extensive payment history, noting whether rent was consistently paid on time, or if there were any late or missed payments.

The report may also highlight eviction records, detailing the reasons and outcomes of such proceedings. Information regarding lease violations, such as property damage or unauthorized occupants, can also be included. Some reports might even feature feedback or recommendations from previous landlords, offering subjective insights into a tenant’s behavior and property maintenance habits.

Key Sources for Your Rental History Report

Your rental history report is primarily compiled by specialized entities that gather tenant data. Major credit bureaus, such as Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, often offer specific tenant screening services or include rental payment data within their comprehensive credit reports. For instance, Experian RentBureau focuses on rental payment histories, while TransUnion SmartMove provides credit and eviction reports.

Numerous specialized tenant screening companies also collect and compile this information for landlords. These companies, which include names like CoreLogic SafeRent and Tenant Data, provide detailed reports encompassing various aspects of a tenant’s background. Additionally, direct requests to previous landlords or property management companies can yield information or references about your tenancy, although this method relies on their willingness to provide records.

Steps to Obtain Your Rental History Report

You can request reports from several key sources. If you are seeking a report from a major credit bureau, such as Experian, you can directly contact their tenant-specific services, like Experian RentBureau, often via their website or a dedicated phone line. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, which may contain some rental-related data. You can access these through AnnualCreditReport.com.

For reports from specialized tenant screening companies, the process may vary, as direct tenant access might depend on the specific company’s policies. Many screening services, such as TransUnion SmartMove or RentSpree, allow individuals to request a copy of their own report, especially if a landlord used their service to deny an application. You may need to provide personal identifying information, including your full name, current and past addresses, date of birth, and potentially your Social Security Number, to verify your identity.

Alternatively, you can directly contact your past landlords or property management companies to request a reference or a copy of their records concerning your tenancy. While not a formalized report, this direct communication can provide valuable insights into what information they might share with future landlords. When contacting any source, be prepared to clearly state your request and provide necessary identification to facilitate the process.

Reviewing Your Report for Accuracy

Carefully review your rental history report for any inaccuracies, errors, or outdated information. Look for common mistakes such as incorrect past addresses or lease dates, which can impact the perception of your stability. Verify that your payment history is accurately reflected, checking for any misreported late or missed rent payments that could negatively affect your record.

Scrutinize any eviction records listed, ensuring the details are correct and that no erroneous evictions appear on your report. Mixed files, where information belonging to another person with a similar name ends up on your report, are a known issue to watch for. Identifying and addressing these discrepancies is important because errors can significantly hinder your ability to secure future housing opportunities.

Correcting Discrepancies

If you find errors on your rental history report, you have the right to dispute inaccurate information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Contact the specific reporting agency (e.g., credit bureau or tenant screening company) that generated the report. Clearly explain the identified error and provide supporting documentation, such as payment receipts, lease agreements, or court documents, to substantiate your claim.

The reporting agency is required to investigate your dispute within 30 days. If the investigation confirms the information is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified, the agency must correct or delete it from your report. It is also advisable to inform any potential landlords about the dispute process if you are actively applying for rentals, providing them with documentation until the report is corrected.