How to Get Your Rental History Report

A rental history report serves as a detailed record of an individual’s past tenancy, offering a comprehensive overview of their behavior as a renter. This document has become an important component in the rental application process, providing landlords and property managers with insights into a prospective tenant’s reliability and financial habits. Its growing significance means that understanding and managing one’s rental history is an increasingly relevant aspect of securing housing.

Understanding Rental History Reports

A rental history report details a tenant’s past tenancy, offering an overview of their behavior. These reports typically include addresses of past residences, the duration of each tenancy, and a record of rent payment behavior, noting any late payments or outstanding balances. Information regarding evictions, property damage, lease violations, and any remaining financial obligations to former landlords are also commonly documented.

Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) or specialized tenant screening companies compile these reports. Entities such as Experian RentBureau, TransUnion SmartMove, CoreLogic SafeRent, and LexisNexis gather data from various sources. These sources include direct reports from landlords and property management companies, as well as public records, particularly for eviction filings.

Preparing to Request Your Report

Before initiating a formal request for your rental history report, gather specific personal and historical information. Identify which consumer reporting agencies or tenant screening companies may possess your data, as various agencies operate in this sector. Major credit bureaus like Experian and TransUnion often offer rental history components, alongside specialized services such as CoreLogic SafeRent, LexisNexis, and Tenant Data.

To verify your identity and locate your records, these agencies typically require your full legal name, current and previous addresses for a specific period, date of birth, Social Security Number, and contact information like a phone number and email address. Ensuring the accuracy of your past address information is particularly important, as this data helps agencies pinpoint your rental records. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to a free copy of your consumer reports annually.

Requesting Your Report

Once you have compiled the necessary personal details, you can proceed with requesting your rental history report. Common methods for obtaining these reports include utilizing online portals, submitting requests via mail, or contacting the agencies by phone.

For online requests, you will typically navigate to the agency’s website, locate the “request your report” section, and accurately input your information to complete security verification. For mail requests, find the agency’s mailing address and enclose a written request, often with copies of identification and proof of address. Phone requests involve calling a toll-free number and providing your information to a representative. While the FCRA provides for free annual reports, additional copies or reports from certain specialized services may incur a fee, typically ranging from $20 to $50, which is handled during the request process.

Reviewing and Correcting Your Report

Upon receiving your rental history report, review it thoroughly for accuracy. Examine all entries for incorrect addresses, wrong tenancy dates, payment history errors, or unfamiliar entries. Identifying and correcting inaccuracies can prevent potential issues when applying for future housing.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides a framework for disputing errors found on your report. This process involves contacting the reporting agency (CRA) directly, and potentially the information provider, such as a former landlord, in writing. Your written dispute should clearly describe the error and include any supporting documentation, like payment receipts or lease agreements, to substantiate your claim. The reporting agency is required to investigate your dispute within 30 days and provide you with the results. It is important to maintain detailed records of all communications and documents related to your dispute.