Renting in Colorado just got easier. Thanks to the Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report, renters no longer have to pay for multiple background checks when applying for different properties. But how does it actually work, and what do both renters and property owners need to know? Let’s break it all down in this article!
What is a Portable Tenant Screening Report?
A Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) is a reusable background check that renters can submit to multiple landlords without paying separate screening fees for each application. Instead of undergoing a new screening process for every property, tenants can provide a recent report that meets legal requirements, saving both time and money.
Special note: Colorado’s laws require landlords to accept these portable tenant screening reports as long as they meet specific criteria.
What Does Colorado PTSR Include?
A Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) is a comprehensive document that provides Colorado landlords with all the essential details they need to assess a potential tenant. An acceptable portable tenant screening report must contain the tenant's information:
- Credit Report – A full credit history from a major bureau like Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
- Criminal Background Check – Information on any past convictions or criminal records.
- Eviction History – Details about any prior evictions, court filings, or rental disputes.
- Verification of Income & Employment – Proof of stable income sources to ensure rent affordability.
- Rental History – Past landlord references and previous lease agreements (for reference, here’s the lease agreement in Colorado)
To be accepted, a PTSR Colorado must be less than 30 days old and provided by a consumer reporting agency that complies with Colorado tenant screening laws.
Key Updates to Colorado Tenant Screening Laws in 2025
Colorado has been making major moves to protect renters and streamline the leasing process.
Colorado HB23-1099: What’s New?
House Bill HB23-1099, signed into law in 2023, officially mandates that landlords cannot charge renters for screening reports if a valid PTSR is provided.
- Portable reports must be accepted as long as they meet state requirements.
- No extra fees can be charged for background checks if a tenant provides a valid PTSR.
- Reports must be recent (within 30 days) and issued by a verified screening agency.
- Landlords cannot request additional screenings unless they have a legitimate legal reason.
This law is designed to make renting more affordable. Tenants don’t have to pay multiple fees while applying for different properties.
Landlord Responsibilities for Accepting Portable Reports
As a landlord in Colorado, it's essential to adhere to the recent PTSR laws. This includes accepting valid screening reports that fulfill legal criteria, refraining from imposing extra fees for new background checks, and conducting PTSR reviews without discrimination. Moreover, it's crucial to comply with fair housing regulations and treat all applicants fairly.
Failure to comply with these rules could result in fines, legal penalties, and potential lawsuits from tenants.
Tenant Rights Under Colorado’s Screening Laws
The Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) law is a significant advantage for renters, as it eliminates the need to pay multiple screening fees when applying for different rentals.
Under this law, landlords are required to accept a valid PTSR and cannot request an additional background check. Renters also have the right to dispute any inaccuracies in their report, and it's important to note that discrimination based on screening reports is prohibited under fair housing laws.
Benefits of Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Reports in 2025
The introduction of Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Reports (PTSRs) eliminates redundant screening fees, speeds up rental applications, and creates a more transparent system for everyone involved.
But why exactly are portable reports such a big deal?
Why Renters Prefer Portable Reports?
The biggest frustration when applying for multiple properties is the cost and hassle of repeated background checks. To solve this problem, the Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report allows them to reuse a single, standardized report for multiple applications.
- Save time: No more paying separate screening fees for each rental application. One report can be used for multiple properties, allowing renters to avoid the extra burden of paying new screening fees and even security deposits each time.
- Faster approval: Since landlords receive a pre-verified report, the application process moves much quicker.
- More Control Over Information: Tenants get to review their free portable tenant screening report before submitting it, ensuring there are no surprises or errors.
Advantages for Landlords
While some landlords were hesitant about accepting portable reports at first, the system actually benefits them too:
- Saves Time & Resources: Instead of conducting separate background checks, landlords receive a complete report instantly and qualify tenants before showing the property. This saves a lot of time and hassle with scheduling showings with the current renter..
- Expands the Pool of Qualified Applicants: More tenants are willing to apply for properties where they don’t have to pay extra screening fees.
- Follows Legal Compliance: Accepting PTSRs prevents landlords from violating Colorado HB23-1099, which protects tenants from excessive screening costs.
When used correctly, PTSRs help landlords streamline their tenant selection process while staying compliant with updated Colorado tenant screening laws.
How To Get A Portable Tenant Screening Report Colorado (2025 Guide)
Overall, the process is simple but requires a few key steps.
How Colorado Landlords Can Accept Portable Tenant Screening Reports
Landlords in Colorado must accept a PTSR as long as it meets legal criteria, but that doesn’t mean they can’t properly evaluate the report before making a leasing decision.
Here’s how landlords should handle portable reports:
- First, update your listing or rental application process to acknowledge PTSRs. Many tenants may not even realize they have the right to submit one, so make it clear by stating: “We accept valid Portable Tenant Screening Reports (PTSRs) as defined by Colorado law.”
- Next, when you receive a PTSR Colorado, don’t just assume it’s valid — verify the details. Colorado law requires the report to be less than 30 days old and issued by a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
- Finally, even though you must accept a valid PTSR, you still have the right to review it just like you would any other screening report. Suppose a tenant has a poor credit history, multiple evictions, or other red flags. In that case, you can deny their application based on your standard rental criteria, as long as you apply those same criteria fairly to all applicants.
5 Legal Steps to Accept Portable Reports
Accepting a Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) in Colorado requires you to understand the process thoroughly.
- Verify the Report’s Age (Must Be Recent): A PTSR Colorado is only valid if it’s less than 30 days old. So, remember to double-check the date on the report. If it’s more than 30 days old, you can legally request that the tenant provide an updated report.
- Confirm the Source of the Report: Ensure the report comes from a recognized agency like Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax.
- Check for Required Information: Review the PTSR carefully. Make sure it has all necessary sections, and if something is missing or incomplete, request a more comprehensive report.
- Apply Consistent Screening Standards: Establish clear and consistent criteria for screening tenants (such as minimum credit scores, income levels, and no history of evictions), and apply them equally to everyone.
- Keep Records for Legal Protection: Store the PTSRs and any related documentation in an organized way for at least one year.
Tips to Evaluate a Portable Tenant Screening Report
When reviewing a Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report for potential tenants, it's crucial to thoroughly examine several key areas.
First, assess the credit score and payment history, focusing on consistent on-time payments and being cautious of applicants with significant delinquencies. Next, evaluate the rental history, noting any past evictions, lease violations, or disputes with landlords that could indicate potential issues.
Finally, consider the applicant's criminal background, recognizing that while minor offenses may not necessarily disqualify someone, serious criminal history can be a concerning indicator.
Conclusion
The Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report is reshaping the way tenants and landlords interact. Take advantage of this tool to stay ahead in the competitive rental market while promoting fairness and efficiency across the board.
FAQs
Q1: Where Can I Get a Portable Tenant Screening Report?
You can obtain a Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) from any Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) such as LeaseRunner.com.
Q2: How Can Tenants Submit a Portable Tenant Screening Report to a Landlord?
Once tenants have obtained their PTSR from a valid CRA, they can submit it electronically or provide a physical copy to the landlord during the application process. Many property managers have portals or email addresses specifically for submitting PTSRs. It’s important to ensure that the report is less than 30 days old at the time of submission to be considered valid.
