Your rental history report can make or break your chances of getting approved for your dream apartment. This document provides landlords with insights into your rental behavior, including payment history, evictions, or late payments. But what happens when there’s an error? An incorrect free rental history report could affect your ability to secure housing unfairly. The good news? You have the right to review, challenge, and correct any inaccuracies. Here’s how you can do it.
Understanding the Importance of a Rental History Report
Before we dive into how to fix errors, it’s essential to understand what a rental history report is and why it matters. This report is typically generated by tenant screening services and includes information such as:
- Past addresses
- Landlord references
- Payment records (on-time or late payments)
- Eviction records, if any
Landlords rely heavily on these reports to evaluate whether you’re a responsible and trustworthy tenant. Therefore, even a small error, like an unpaid rent report that isn’t yours, can jeopardize your housing prospects. Keeping these reports accurate is critical.
Steps to Spot and Correct Errors
1. Request a Copy of Your Free Rental Report
Start by obtaining a free copy of your rental history report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to one free report annually from reporting agencies. Popular companies like Experian RentBureau or CoreLogic SafeRent typically provide these reports. Carefully go through your report, looking for obvious errors or information that doesn’t align with your rental history.
For example:
- Is there a record for a rental you never lived at?
- Are late payments being marked for rent that you did pay on time?
- Are evictions improperly listed under your name?
2. Gather Supporting Documentation
Once you’ve identified discrepancies, gather all relevant documentation to challenge the errors. This could include:
- Lease agreements
- Payment receipts
- Bank statements showing timely rent payment
- Written communications with landlords or property managers confirming your good standing
Clear documentation strengthens your case and demonstrates inaccuracies in the report.
3. Contact the Reporting Agency
The next step is reaching out to the credit reporting agency directly. Most agencies accept disputes online, by mail, or via phone. When submitting your dispute, ensure you:
- Clearly state the inaccuracies
- Attach the supporting documents
- Provide a concise explanation for why the data is inaccurate (e.g., “The record indicates a missed rent payment in January 2023, but the attached bank statement proves payment was made on January 5, 2023”).
The agency is required to investigate your dispute, and you should receive a response or resolution within 30 days.
4. Notify Your Landlord
Sometimes, errors originate from misinformation provided by a past landlord. Contact any landlords or property management companies associated with the discrepancy and request that they update their records. This may speed up corrections on the agency’s end. Always retain copies of correspondence for your records.
5. Follow Up on the Outcome
Once the investigation is complete, the reporting agency must inform you of their findings. If your dispute is valid, the agency will update your report and send you a revised copy. Double-check the updated version to ensure the corrections have been made accurately. If your claim is denied, you still have the option to appeal the decision or submit a written statement alongside your report to explain why you believe the information is inaccurate.
Why Stay Proactive?
Errors on rental history reports don’t fix themselves. Too often, tenants are unaware of inaccuracies until it’s too late—leading to lost housing opportunities and unnecessary stress. By staying proactive and periodically checking your rental report, you can ensure the information out there represents you accurately.
Correcting mistakes might seem time-consuming, but it’s worth every effort for a fair shot at securing your ideal rental property. Don’t leave your housing future to chance—review your report, fix the errors, and walk into your next lease application with confidence.