When applying for a rental, your tenant screening report is one of the key factors landlords rely on to make their decision. One concern may come to mind: How to check your tenant screening report and understand all the data behind it?
In this guide, we will show you how to read, correct, and optimize your tenant screening report by using intuitive tools like LeaseRunner. Let’s check it out!
What Is a Tenant Screening Report and Why Does It Matter?
Have you ever wondered what landlords see when they check your background before approving your lease? That’s exactly what a tenant screening report reveals.
A tenant screening report is a detailed document that landlords and property managers use to evaluate prospective renters. It typically includes key information about your rental history, credit score, background check, and eviction records. This report helps landlords assess whether you are a reliable tenant who pays rent on time and takes care of the property.
A good tenant screening report can significantly improve your chances of securing a rental. Landlords prefer tenants with a strong financial history and no red flags. On the other hand, delinquent tenants with negative marks like late payments, prior evictions, or poor credit scores can make it harder to get approved for a lease, as these factors indicate an unhealthy cash flow for the landlord.
How to Get a Copy of Your Tenant Screening Report?
You don’t have to wait for a landlord to pull your report. You can check it yourself! Several trusted sources let you access your tenant screening details so you can stay ahead of the game.
How do you check your rental history? Here are three reliable ways to get your report:
Method #1: Check Through LeaseRunner
LeaseRunner provides a tenant screening service that allows renters to request a copy of their screening report. Landlords commonly use our platform to check applicants’ rental and financial history before making leasing decisions. Here’s how it works:
- Landlord initiates the screening: The landlord orders a tenant screening report through LeaseRunner.
- Tenant receives an invitation: The applicant receives an email request to complete the screening process.
- Tenant provides information & verifies identity: The applicant submits the required details and may need to answer security questions for identity verification.
- Payment is processed: Either the landlord or the applicant pays any applicable screening fees.
- The report is generated: Once the process is complete, the report—including credit history, eviction records, and background check—is made available to the landlord and, in some cases, to the tenant.
LeaseRunner is a preferred choice among landlords and property managers nationwide. Its reports are crafted specifically for tenant screening based on the Fair Housing Act, so obtaining a copy of your report from our service provides a clear view of what landlords may access. This transparency helps you understand how your information is presented.
Method #2: Via Credit Bureaus
Landlords rely heavily on your credit report with their decisions, which makes credit bureaus a valuable resource for obtaining part of your tenant screening information. The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) offer rental history data that can be crucial for lease applications.
- Request a copy of your credit report from the three credit bureaus, which is available for free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Please note your credit score will differ for tenant screening and credit monitoring as each has a different risk level per each permissible purpose.
- Look for information, such as payment history, past addresses, and liability amounts owed to your creditors.
- Consider using Experian RentBureau, which specifically tracks rental payment history.
Method #3: Using Online Platforms
Several websites specialize in tenant screening and rental history tracking. They give renters quick access to their reports, often in the same format landlords use. These platforms pull data from multiple sources, making them a one-stop shop for renters.
LeaseRunner is a top tenant screening service that allows landlords to request comprehensive reports, including credit history, eviction records, and background checks. For renters looking to track their payment history, platforms like CheckYourRent specialize in rental payment monitoring.
These online services streamline the process, making it fast, easy, and landlord-approved - perfect if you want a detailed look at your rental background before applying for a new home.
How to Read and Understand Your Tenant Screening Report?
To understand your tenant screening report thoroughly, it's essential to break it down into its main sections. Here’s a detailed look at each important screening report component to look out for before making a leasing decision:
1. Credit History
Your credit history is one of the most important sections that affect the result of your tenant screening report. Landlords use it to assess whether you pay your bills on time and if you have any outstanding debts that might indicate financial instability.
- Credit Score – A high score (700+) makes you look responsible, while a low score might raise red flags.
- Payment History – Late payments, outstanding balances, or collections accounts could hurt your chances.
- Debt-to-Income Ratio – If you’re drowning in debt, landlords might worry about your ability to pay rent.
Note: If your credit score is lower than you’d like, consider paying down debts, avoiding late payments, and disputing errors on your credit report.
2. Payroll Verification & Cash Flow
Even with a perfect credit score, landlords want to know one thing: Can you afford the rent? This is where payroll verification and cash flow analysis show their importance.
Your report might include:
- Income Verification – Recent pay stubs or payroll deposits on your bank statement, tax returns, or direct employer verification or intent letter from your future employer
- Bank Statements – Showing consistent income deposits and a stable cash flow.
- Debt Obligations – Large debts (like student loans or car payments) that could impact your ability to pay rent.
3. Criminal Background
Your criminal record (or lack thereof) plays a big role in your tenant screening report. Not all landlords have the same criteria, but most will check for:
- Felonies – Serious offenses (especially violent crimes) might make landlords hesitant.
- Misdemeanors – Minor infractions might not be a deal-breaker, but some property managers take them into account.
- Arrest Records vs. Convictions – Some reports show arrests that never led to a conviction, which could be misleading. Proper tenant screening reports will not show arrests as it is illegal for the landlord to make housing decisions based on arrest records.
Note: The Fair Housing Act limits how far back a landlord can look ( seven years), and some minor offenses (such as vehicular charges) might not appear at all.
4. Eviction Records
Landlords take eviction history seriously. Evictions signal potential risk, and a past eviction could instantly disqualify you from some rentals.
But if you have a past eviction, don’t panic! Some landlords may overlook it if you’ve improved your financial situation, have solid references, or can explain the circumstances.
Addressing Errors in Your Tenant Screening Report
Finding an error in your tenant screening report is more common than you might expect, and such mistakes could cost you a rental! Even a minor inaccuracy, like an incorrect address or a missed payment that you actually made, can make landlords reconsider approving you. If there is any adverse information on your tenant screening report, be upfront with the landlord. Prepare them for what they might find and explain the reasons behind the negative information on the tenant screening report.
Identifying Common Errors
Before applying for a lease, always review your tenant screening report for mistakes. Even small errors can make a big difference in your chances of approval.
Sometimes, credit reports contain inaccuracies, like a lower-than-expected score due to old or incorrect late payments, outstanding balances, or even accounts sent to collections by mistake. False eviction records can also appear, even if a past dispute was dismissed, and criminal records might mistakenly include offenses from someone with a similar name.
Since landlords use these reports to assess rental applications, it’s crucial to double-check your information and dispute any errors that could impact your approval. A simple mistake could cost you the perfect rental, so taking the time to review your records can make all the difference!
Disputing Inaccuracies
Tenant screening reports pull data from credit bureaus, court records, and third-party agencies, and mistakes happen all the time. Therefore, you can fix the mistakes.
- Gather Evidence – Find supporting documents (bank statements, court records, receipts) to prove the error.
- Contact the Reporting Agency – If it’s a credit issue, dispute it with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. If it’s an eviction or criminal record error, contact the screening service directly.
- Submit a Formal Dispute – Most agencies let you dispute errors online or by mail. Make sure to explain the mistake clearly.
- Follow Up – Agencies must investigate disputes within 30 days, so keep track of your case.
Understanding Your Rights
As a renter, you have legal protections when it comes to your tenant screening report.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute any inaccurate or outdated information on your report. You can also request a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Landlords can make housing decisions based on your last 7 years of your eviction or criminal history. If a landlord denies your application based on your screening report, they must provide you with an Adverse Action Notice, explaining the reason and giving you access to the report they used.
You also have the right to add a personal statement to your report. If there’s something negative, such as an old eviction or a late payment, you can include an explanation.
Legal Considerations: What You Need to Know
When applying for a rental, laws exist to protect you from discrimination and unfair treatment. Being informed helps you navigate the rental process with confidence!
Fair Housing Laws
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) makes it illegal for landlords to discriminate against renters based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or family status. Some states and cities extend protections to other factors, such as sexual orientation, marital status, or source of income. For example, in certain places, landlords cannot deny you just because you receive housing assistance or have non-traditional income sources like freelance work or gig jobs.
Tenant Rights & Consent
Before running a tenant screening report, a landlord must have your permission. Typically, this happens when you sign a rental application, which includes a clause allowing them to check your background, credit, and rental history. With tenant screening companies, like LeaseRunner, you are providing LeaseRunner the authorization electronically to release tenant screening reports to the prospective landlord.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Landlords must get written consent before pulling their tenant screening report or using a service like LeaseRunner that has this consent built-in.
- You have the right to know what information they accessed and which screening service they used.
- You can request a copy of the report to review it yourself.
- If a landlord charges a screening fee, some states require them to provide you with a copy of your report.
Handling Rental Denials
Getting denied for a rental can feel frustrating, but you have options. If a landlord rejects your application due to your tenant screening report, they are legally required to send you an Adverse Action Notice, including:
- The reason for denial (such as low credit score, past eviction, or income concerns).
- The name of the tenant screening company they used.
- Your right to dispute errors in the report.
In some cases, when the denial was based on incorrect information, you should immediately dispute it with the reporting agency and request the landlord to reconsider your application once the mistake is corrected. This can take up to 30 days.
Utilizing LeaseRunner's Tenant Screening Services
How to do a rental background check on yourself?
LeaseRunner offers a comprehensive and user-friendly tenant screening service designed to help renters and landlords make informed decisions. One of the key benefits of LeaseRunner is our pay-as-you-go model. Unlike some services that charge subscription fees, LeaseRunner allows you to order only the reports you need, making it a cost-effective option for both tenants and landlords.
LeaseRunner’s screening services pull data from multiple trusted sources to provide a clear, in-depth view of a tenant’s background. The reports gather:
- Credit Report & Score – Pulled directly from Experian, showing credit history, payment habits, and overall financial responsibility.
- Criminal Background Check – Searches national databases, sex offender registries, and criminal court records for any past offenses.
- Eviction History – Identifies past eviction filings, judgments, and landlord-tenant disputes that could impact rental applications.
- Financial Profile & Rent Affordability – Includes bank balance and cash flow verification to help landlords assess a tenant’s ability to pay rent consistently.
Conclusion
Wondering how to check your tenant screening report before applying for a rental? It all starts with being prepared. With LeaseRunner, you can easily access your credit report, eviction history, and background check—without any unnecessary fees or hassle. Take control of your rental journey today!
FAQs
Q1: How can I check my rental history for free?
You can check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com, criminal and eviction history using public records or your local court. You can use LeaseRunner to access a detailed tenant screening report, including credit, eviction, and background checks, with a pay-as-you-go model—no subscriptions required.
Q2: How do I prove my rental history?
To prove your rental history, you can provide landlord reference letters, lease agreements, or rent payment records. A letter from a past landlord confirming on-time payments and good tenancy can be valuable.
Q3: Does a credit report show rental history?
Your rental history won’t always appear on a standard credit report unless your landlord reports payments to a credit bureau. Some landlords use services like Experian RentBureau or Rental Kharma to report rent payments, which can help build your credit.
However, evictions or unpaid rental debts may show up as collections account on your credit report. If you want a full picture of your rental history, a tenant screening report from LeaseRunner can provide a more detailed record.
Q4: How can I find out who owns or rents a property?
Websites like LeaseRunner, Zillow, Redfin, or Property Lookup Services at your County’s Assessors website may list ownership details, and for rental properties, you can also check with homeowners' associations (HOAs).
