Renting an apartment: what landlords check

Credit reports, tenant screening reports, and your rights if you are turned down.

Two kinds of reports

Landlords may check your credit report and a tenant screening report, which can include rental history and eviction records. Both are consumer reports covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

If you are turned down

If a landlord denies you or asks for a bigger deposit because of a report, they must tell you, name the company that supplied the report, and explain your right to a free copy and to dispute errors.

Dispute screening errors too

Tenant screening reports can contain mistakes, such as an eviction case that was dismissed or another person’s record. You can dispute them with the screening company, just like a credit report.

Strengthen your application

Bring proof of income, references from past landlords, and an explanation of any past problems. Some landlords accept a co-signer or a larger deposit.