Verifying Your Personal (or Another Tenant's) Rental Background

Checking Your Rental History (the uncensored, unbiased guide)

****Whether you're a seasoned renter or new to the game, it's crucial to know what landlords see when they run a tenant background check. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of checking your rental history, disputing errors, and improving your report Porn-n-Plunder-free!

Grabbing Your Rental History

Hey there, buckaroo! Wanna know how to get your hands on your rental history report? Here are a couple of options:

Third-party Consumer Reporting Companies: These fine folks offer one free report every 12 months: Experian RentBureau, TransUnion SmartMove, AmRent, Screening Reports, Inc., Real Page, Inc., First Advantage Resident Solutions, RentGrow, Inc., AppFolio, Inc., Contemporary Information Corp (CIC). Landlords might use any of these, so pick one based on reputation and convenience.
Compile Your Own Records: If you're a lone wolf and don't trust big corporations, gather your rental documents yourself. List all previous rentals, the landlord's contact information, rental rates, and dates occupied. You can also include records of any evictions or cases you've won, but be warned, these may raise eyebrows among potential landlords.

What's Inside Your Rental History Report?

Alright, partner. Settle in, as we take a peek inside your rental history report. This bad boy includes:

Rent payment history
Dates of occupancy
Concerns or issues raised during your tenancy (like damage, late payments, broken leases, neighbor complaints, or eviction notices)
Recommendations (positive or negative) from past landlords
A tenant screening report includes all the above information, plus your credit report, employment verification, criminal history, sex offender registry, terror watchlist, and risk score.

Eliminating Errors from Your Report

Got yourself entered in a mixed-up rental report? No worries, let's get it sorted:

Check your rental history report carefully. If you spot errors, grab your six-shooter and fire off a dispute letter. Explain the issues, provide supporting documents, and demand corrections. Here's a handy Dispute Letter Template for ya.
If you prefer the less dramatic route, you can ask consumer reporting companies to add an explanation of the errors, along with supporting documentation. This isn't as effective as removing errors, but it's something.

Cleaning Up Your Rental History Report

Keen to see your rental history rocket to the top of landlords' lists? Here's how:

Pay your rent on time—every time. If you mess up, fess up to your landlord and ask for a clean slate.
Be respectful and communicate with your landlord. Leave them with positive memories to share with future landlords.
Take good care of the properties you rent. Report damages, keep the place clean, and handle your responsibilities like a true cowboy/cowgirl.
Their unit looking like the Wild West? Fix any issues before you leave. This'll improve your chances of getting a glowing reference.
If you've got a terrible rental history report, be upfront with landlords. Explain the situation, be honest, and provide any supporting documents that can help turn the tide.
Strapped for cash? Consider asking a friend or family member to cosign your lease, or offer to put down a larger security deposit to show you're less of a financial risk.

What Landlords Consider Besides Your Rental History

For the head honchos out there, there's more to consider than just your rental history. Here's the lowdown on other factors landlords examine:

Income and Employment: They'll get all up in your business, verifying your income source, job status, and even bank account details. Be ready to show 'em your pay stubs or proof of income.
Credit History: 'Cause we all know they love to dig up dirt. If your credit score's looking sketchy, open up about any issues and show 'em you're working on fixing the problem.
Criminal Background: They'll check you out, but be warned: any cases, misdemeanors, or felonies might raise red flags. Negotiate upfront about potential complications to avoid unnecessary screening costs.
Past Evictions: Be honest and upfront about any evictions. If you were evicted illegally or won in court, make sure to provide documentation to clarify the situation.

Building Your Credit Quickly With Self-Reporting Services

Wanna boost your credit score fast? Consider self-reporting services like Self Rent Reporting, Boom Pay, Rental Kharma, Rent Reporters, or Rock the Score. They can help you include on-time rental payments on your credit report, which can improve your credit score and enhance your chances of getting approved for future rentals or loans.

Pick a service that reports to at least two or three major credit bureaus, and be prepared to pay a small monthly fee- it's a small price to pay for a sparkling rental history!

To enhance your personal-finance and improve your chances of securing future rentals or loans, you might want to consider self-reporting services like Self Rent Reporting, Boom Pay, Rental Kharma, Rent Reporters, or Rock the Score. These services enable you to include your on-time rental payments on your credit report, potentially boosting your credit score.
In addition to your rental history, landlords may also consider your income and employment, credit history, criminal background, and past evictions when making rental decisions. It's essential to be honest and open about these factors, especially if you have any issues that might raise red flags.
When cleaning up your rental history report, it's crucial to maintain good relationships with your landlords. Pay your rent on time, communicate effectively, and take care of the property. If you've made mistakes in the past, be upfront about them and offer evidence to demonstrate your efforts to rectify any issues.
If you're strapped for cash, consider seeking help from friends or family members to cosign your lease or offer a larger security deposit to demonstrate a lower financial risk. This could improve your chances of securing a rental, especially if your rental history report is not as strong as you'd like it to be.