How To Dispute Errors On Tenant Screening Reports
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About Disputing Errors On Tenant Screening Reports
To dispute errors on a tenant screening report, obtain a copy of the report, document the inaccuracies, and contact the screening company to submit a written dispute with supporting evidence. Prompt action is essential to rectify any errors and safeguard your rental opportunities.
What You Need To Know
A tenant screening report is a document that provides information about a prospective tenant's background and creditworthiness. It is typically generated by a tenant screening company and includes details such as credit history, criminal records, eviction records, employment verification, and previous rental history. Landlords and property managers use these reports to assess the suitability of tenants and make informed decisions regarding rental applications.
There are numerous types of tenant screening companies and services available, so landlords and property managers have a range of options to choose from based on their specific requirements.
There are specialized tenant screening companies that focus on providing comprehensive tenant screening services to landlords and property managers. These include companies like RentGrow, LeasingDesk, AppFolio, and Screening Reports, Inc. They collect and compile information from various sources to create tenant screening reports.
There are also credit reporting agencies, which are primarily known for providing credit reports, but also may offer tenant screening services. These include companies like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. They utilize credit data, payment history, and credit scores to assess a tenant's financial reliability.
The specific content and format of a tenant screening report can vary depending on the company producing it and the sources of information they utilize. Landlords and property managers use this information to evaluate a tenant's suitability and make informed decisions when considering rental applications. A tenant screening report typically includes the following information:
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Credit History: This section provides details about the prospective tenant's creditworthiness, including their credit score, payment history, outstanding debts, and any previous bankruptcies or collections.
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Criminal Records: It includes information about the tenant's criminal background, such as arrests, convictions, or pending charges.
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Eviction Records: This section reveals whether the tenant has been involved in any previous eviction cases or if there are any records of non-payment of rent or lease violations.
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Employment Verification: It verifies the tenant's employment status, income, and job stability. This helps landlords assess the tenant's ability to afford the rent.
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Rental History: This part of the report provides details about the tenant's previous rental experiences, including the names of previous landlords, rental durations, and any reported issues like lease violations or damages.
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Public Records: This section may include additional public records information, such as tax liens, civil judgments, or other legal disputes involving the tenant.
A tenant screening report and a credit report serve different purposes and contain distinct types of information.
A tenant screening report is specifically designed to assess the suitability of a prospective tenant for a rental property. It helps landlords and property managers make informed decisions about potential tenants. A credit report primarily focuses on an individual's creditworthiness and financial history. It is used by lenders, creditors, and financial institutions to assess a person's ability to repay debts and manage credit.
A tenant screening report includes a wide range of information beyond credit history. It typically includes details such as criminal records, eviction records, employment verification, rental history, and sometimes additional public records. A credit report primarily includes information related to an individual's credit accounts, payment history, outstanding debts, credit inquiries, and public records associated with their credit activity. It does not typically include details about criminal records, rental history, or employment verification.
The information in a tenant screening report is collected from various sources, such as credit reporting agencies, public records, previous landlords, and other relevant databases. Credit reports are compiled by credit reporting agencies based on data provided by lenders, banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions that extend credit to individuals.
How To Dispute Errors On Your Tenant Screening Report
How To Dispute Errors On Your Tenant Screening Report
Taking prompt action is essential to correct errors and protect your rental prospects. A landlord might have used information from a tenant screening report to reject you because of your eviction record, owing money to another landlord, or criminal record.
Steps To Dispute Errors On Your Tenant Screening Report
A law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act says you have the right to know the name of the company that created the Tenant Screening Report.
Ask the landlord or property manager which company created the report. Ask that person to show you a copy of the report so you can see what the information looks like.
You can also get a copy of the report from the company that created it.
Carefully examine each section of the report. Go through all the information provided, including credit history, criminal records, eviction records, employment verification, and rental history.
Check that your name, current address, and other personal details are correctly listed.
Compare the information in the report with your own records, such as rental agreements, payment receipts, or court documents.
Pay attention to any entries that are incorrect, outdated, or don't align with your knowledge or experiences. If relevant information is missing from the report, make a note of it.
Document any inaccuracies or inconsistencies you find, making sure to specify the exact details that are incorrect and what the accurate information should be.
After identifying errors in your tenant screening report, it's important to contact the screening company promptly. By submitting a written dispute with specific details and supporting evidence, you provide a clear foundation for the screening company to investigate and correct the errors in your tenant screening report.
Find the contact information for the screening company on the report itself or their website.
Submit a written dispute with specific details and evidence. In your communication to the screening company, provide a clear and concise explanation of the errors you have identified. Specify which sections or pieces of information are incorrect and explain what the accurate information should be.
Gather any supporting evidence or documentation that can substantiate your dispute. For example, if you have receipts proving on-time rent payments or court documents showing a resolved eviction case, include copies of these documents along with your written dispute.
Clearly state your expectation that the screening company conducts a thorough investigation into the errors and promptly corrects any inaccurate information in the report.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the screening company has 30 days to complete the investigation and respond to your dispute. However, in some cases, the process may take longer if the issues are complex or require extensive verification.
The screening company should acknowledge receipt of your dispute, either through a confirmation email or written communication. This confirms that they have received your complaint and are aware of the errors you identified.
The screening company will initiate an investigation into the disputed information. They will review the details you provided, examine the supporting evidence, and may reach out to relevant sources, such as landlords or courts, to verify the accuracy of the information.
If the screening company finds that the reported information is indeed inaccurate, they are obligated to correct the errors and update your tenant screening report accordingly. The corrected report should be sent to you and any other parties that have recently received the erroneous report, such as landlords or property managers.
The screening company will inform you of the results of their investigation and provide you with a written explanation of the actions taken to resolve the dispute. They should also inform you if any changes have been made to your tenant screening report.
It's essential to keep a record of all communications and follow up with the screening company if you do not receive a response within the specified timeframe. If the screening company fails to correct the errors or address your concerns, you may consider seeking legal advice or filing a complaint with relevant consumer protection agencies.