Review tenant screening records and dispute errors

Ask about screening before paying an application fee

The FTC recommends asking what information the landlord uses before paying an application or background-check fee. It also recommends accurate full-name and birth-date information to reduce identity-matching errors. Ask which screening service is involved and use the application's intended private channel for personal information. FTC: tenant report contents and recommendations

Keep the notice and identify the report company

For an adverse action based on a tenant screening report, the CFPB says the notice must provide the company's name, address and phone number, explain dispute rights and explain a free report if requested within 60 days of the adverse action. Notices can be oral, written or electronic. Ask the landlord which information caused the concern and request the report from the named company. CFPB: adverse action and report access

Review the report against the underlying evidence

The CFPB's checklist covers case outcomes, duplicate stages of one eviction, criminal-record accuracy, debts that belong to someone else and payments not reflected correctly. Compare the report with relevant dated payment evidence or court records. Identify each item and why it appears wrong; a broad statement that the score seems unfair does not describe the underlying data error. CFPB: review identity, case outcomes and duplicate records

1. The FTC recommends a direct dispute with the screening company, a description of the problem and copies of supporting documents. Keep copies and follow a phone conversation in writing. It also recommends telling the landlord about the dispute. FTC: document errors and follow the dispute process
2. The FTC describes a general 30-day investigation and results period, with 45 days in some circumstances and shorter state deadlines possible. If corrected, get the updated report to the landlord and ask the screening company to notify the landlord. This timeline does not promise that a rental will remain available. FTC: document errors and follow the dispute process

Use the route for the actual provider and report section

LeasingDesk's Consumer Support page provides its own-file disclosure and dispute forms, with identity verification. It distinguishes credit information forwarded to the supplying bureau from criminal, rental and eviction history it reinvestigates, and separately links a Verified Income dispute form. Start with the section that matches the disputed information. LeasingDesk: report copies and distinct dispute routes

TransUnion's rental-screening dispute page lists 800-230-9376, [email protected] and a Consumer Dispute Team mailing route. It asks for each specific account, case or other disputed item and may request identity and supporting documents. Confirm the provider from the report before using that route. TransUnion: rental-screening disputes and investigation results

SmartMove's FAQ lists 1-866-775-0961 for identity verification and information about obtaining criminal or eviction report copies, with a separate credit-report link. It describes disputing credit inputs used by Income Insights. That is different from a guarantee that a recent income change will immediately alter its estimate. SmartMove: permission, report access and income estimates

Correct the originating record when necessary

The FTC describes contacting a creditor, former landlord or court when its underlying information is wrong. A court's procedure may require local self-help or legal assistance. Tell the screening company and landlord about a court correction. Keep the originating-record problem and the screening company's report update in view. FTC: document errors and follow the dispute process