Breaking Down Your Rental History Report

When you’re looking to rent an apartment, it’s important to be prepared for the application and tenant screening process. Many renters know about tenant screening requirements such as submitting pay stubs, checking credit reports, and providing professional references, but some people may not be familiar with a rental history report and what a landlord or property manager sees when looking at one.  

It’s extremely important to understand how rental history reports work so you don’t miss out on your dream apartment. Let’s take a look at what rental history reports do and how to check a rental history to make sure it’s accurate. 

What is a Rental History Report? 

When you apply for a rental, a landlord will usually check several tenant screening reports: credit history, criminal history, and rental history. These reports serve as a way for landlords to verify the information you provide on your rental application and decide if you’re the right fit for their property. But what is a rental history report and what does it mean for you as a renter? 

A rental history report is a background of your experience as a renter. It covers past rental addresses, the dates you lived there, contact information for past landlords and property managers, the price of rent, any late or missed payments, damages, and eviction history.  

Landlords usually cross-check your rental history report with your rental application information to ensure that your information matches. Inaccurate information on either report could prompt a landlord to investigate further. 

What’s Included in a Rental History Report? 

A rental history report (also known as a tenant screening report) is a comprehensive document that paints a picture of your past experiences as a tenant. It typically includes a variety of details that landlords and property managers use to assess your suitability for their rental property. Here’s what you can expect to find in your rental history report: 

• Previous Addresses and Rental Properties: This section lists all the places you’ve rented, providing a timeline of your rental history. 

• Landlords’ Names and Contact Information: Contact details for your previous landlords or property managers are included, allowing prospective landlords to verify your rental history. 

• Rental Rates and Occupancy Dates: Information about how much rent you paid and the duration of your stay at each property. 

• Rent Payment History: This includes records of your rent payments, highlighting any late rent payments or outstanding debts. 

• Damages or Maintenance Issues: Reports from previous landlords about any damages or maintenance issues you were responsible for. 

• Lease Violations or Evictions: Any breaches of lease agreements or eviction records. 

• Credit Report Information: Your credit score and any negative marks on your credit report, which can indicate financial stability or instability. 

This detailed information helps landlords and property managers evaluate your reliability and financial responsibility as a tenant during a thorough tenant screening. 

Factors That Impact Rental History 

Several key factors can negatively impact your rental history, influencing how landlords perceive you as a potential tenant: 

• Missed Payments: Consistently paying your rent on time is crucial. Late rent payments or outstanding debts can negatively affect your rental history and raise red flags for landlords. 

• Lease Violations: Adhering to the terms of your lease agreement is essential. Violations, such as unauthorized pets or subletting, can result in negative marks on your rental history. 

• Damages or Maintenance Issues: Failing to report or address damages and maintenance issues can lead to negative feedback from previous landlords. 

• Prior Evictions: Being evicted from a rental property is a significant negative mark and can severely impact your ability to secure future rentals. 

• Poor Credit: Your credit report plays a role in your rental history. A poor credit score can indicate financial instability, making landlords hesitant to rent to you. 

Understanding these factors can help you maintain a positive rental history and improve your chances of securing your desired rental property. 

Checking Your Free Rental History Report 

As a tenant, you’re entitled to one free rental history report every 12 months under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681j). This means you’re able to obtain a copy of the report to ensure that the information listed is accurate, but be careful — you’ll want to check with your potential landlord to see which report service they use (like Experian, TransUnion, or CoreLogic) so you can look at the same information that will be in their hands.  

When learning to check rental history report, you’ll want to make sure that you can account for any gaps or inconsistencies listed under your rental background. Let’s say that you were laid off from your job and moved in with relatives for six months until you got back on your feet at a new company. You’ll want to explain this gap in your rental history by making a note to your potential landlord or in the rental application of your living situation during the six-month blank period.  

Addressing Reporting Issues  

As a renter, you should take advantage of your free rental history check to get ahead of any inaccuracies that may have ended up in your report. There are several factors you should verify before a landlord investigates your rental background: the dates you’ve lived in an apartment, because the difference between living somewhere for one versus two years matters; the rental rates, since landlords can use this to check if you can reasonably afford their current price and pay it consistently; and any late or missed payments, since a history of them on your report (accurate or not) will be a red flag. 

If you end up finding incorrect information in your rental history report, don’t panic. Whether it’s a small fix, like the date you moved from a former rental address, or a much larger issue, like a report of extensive damages or eviction, you’ll be able to reach out to the rental history reporting company to rectify the problem. Typically, you’ll need to do this in writing and provide evidence to support your claim. The reporting agency will then review the complaint and either solve the issue or, if they stand firm with their original reporting, leave your rental history as it was. If this is the case, you can leave a note on the report for the next person who requests the information. 

Even if you find negative information in your report that is correct, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be rejected from a rental you have your heart set on. If a prior landlord reported late rental payments or damage to the property, a good landlord should screen holistically and give you the opportunity to explain the circumstances that led to the issues. Honesty is key, so be truthful about the situation, why it won’t happen again, and why you’re a trustworthy tenant. 

Improving Your Rental History 

If your rental history report isn’t as positive as you’d like it to be, you’ll be glad to know that it can be improved. Improving your rental history is all about demonstrating responsibility and maintaining open communication with your landlord. Here are some practical tips to help you enhance your rental history: 

• Pay Your Rent on Time: Timely rent payments are crucial. Set reminders or automate payments to ensure you never miss a due date. 

• Communicate with Your Landlord: If you encounter financial difficulties or need repairs, communicate promptly and respectfully with your landlord. Transparency can prevent misunderstandings. 

• Take Care of the Property: Keep your rental property clean and well-maintained. Report any damages or maintenance issues immediately to avoid being held responsible for them. 

• Follow the Terms of Your Lease: Adhere to all the rules and regulations outlined in your lease agreement. This includes respecting noise levels, pet policies, and other stipulations. 

By following these tips, you can build a positive rental history that will make you an attractive tenant to future landlords. 

Using Your Rental History to Your Advantage 

A positive rental history can be a powerful tool when applying for a new rental property. Here’s how you can leverage your rental history to your advantage: 

• Request a Copy of Your Rental History Report: Before applying for a new rental, obtain a copy of your rental history report to ensure its accurate and up to date. This allows you to address any discrepancies beforehand. 

• Highlight Positive References: Include references from previous landlords or property managers who can vouch for your reliability and good tenancy. 

• Explain Any Negative Marks: If there are any negative marks on your rental history, be prepared to explain them. Providing context can help alleviate potential concerns from prospective landlords. 

• Use Rent Reporting Services: Consider using rent reporting services that report your on-time rental payments to credit bureaus. This can improve your credit score and make you a more attractive tenant. 

By proactively managing and presenting your rental history, you can enhance your chances of securing your desired rental property. 

Why Rental History Reports Matter 

At a basic level, a landlord wants to ensure that you’re a worthwhile tenant. To verify this, they often perform a thorough screening process, checking reports to get a picture of your trustworthiness, reliability, and financial stability. Put yourself in a landlord’s shoes — would you feel comfortable renting to yourself if you had a history of three back-to-back evictions? 

If your rental history report includes false information, especially anything detrimental, it has the potential to harm your chances of qualifying for the apartment you’re interested in. Again, honesty is key, so it’s best to investigate your free rental history report before applying for a rental to guarantee that your information is correct and will match across documents.  

Conclusion 

Putting your best foot forward through tenant screening reports gives you access to more rental options, which can make a huge difference in the quality of your apartment search. Knowing the importance of a rental history report and how to access and verify the information on it will help you avoid conversations with a landlord about mistakes on the report and will keep you from rejection from your perfect rental.