The search for the perfect place to call home is always challenging. Finding the ideal rental property requires careful consideration, financial planning, and, often, the completion of a tenant screening procedure. Tenant screening reports can be pivotal in this process, but what happens when inaccuracies mar these reports?
In this article, we’ll cover the details regarding tenant screening reports, the potential consequences of inaccuracies, and how consumer rights lawyers/credit report lawyers/identity theft lawyers can assist would-be renters in rectifying these issues.
Understanding Tenant Screening Reports
Landlords and property management companies use these reports to evaluate prospective tenants. These reports typically contain:
- Credit History: A snapshot of an applicant’s financial behavior, including credit accounts, payment history, and outstanding debts.
- Rental History: A record of previous rental arrangements, including lease agreements, evictions, and lease violations.
- Criminal History: Information about an applicant’s criminal record, if applicable.
- Identity Verification: Confirmation of the applicant’s identity, often through Social Security numbers and address history.
The Consequences of Inaccurate Tenant Screening Reports
Reports can affect a landlord’s decision to rent a property to an applicant. Therefore, inaccuracies in these reports can have far-reaching consequences, such as:
- Denial of Housing
Inaccurate information, such as a false eviction record or incorrect credit history, can lead to the outright denial of housing. Prospective tenants may find themselves unjustly rejected based on false data.
- Higher Security Deposits
Landlords may require higher security deposits or additional fees from applicants with perceived credit or rental history issues, even if these issues stem from inaccuracies.
- Legal Implications
In some cases, tenants may face eviction or legal action due to inaccuracies in their screening reports.
Why Do Inaccuracies Exist?
Inaccuracies can happen in several ways. You may be confused with another, similarly-named person, leading to their evictions or criminal history appearing in your background screening report. Errors in public records or on mainstream credit reports are likely to appear in tenant screening reports. Identity theft is another potential source of error, with a fraudster impersonating you to rent an apartment and then leaving an eviction in your rental history.
Landlords can also be responsible for inaccurate reports: landlords may report inaccurate information to tenant screening companies about their tenants, such as claiming to have evicted a tenant who actually left voluntarily or claiming that a former tenant owes money that was put into a court-ordered rent escrow account.
Identity Theft and Tenant Screening Reports
Identity theft is a growing concern that can impact screening reports. When a person’s identity is stolen, fraudsters may open credit accounts, apply for rental properties, and engage in criminal activities in the victim’s name. As a result, victims of identity theft can find themselves saddled with inaccurate and damaging information on their tenant screening reports.
Inaccuracies in credit reporting can also spill over into tenant screening reports. Errors such as incorrect account balances, late payment notations, or unauthorized accounts can tarnish an applicant’s credit history, leading to negative judgments on their tenant screening reports.
Addressing Innacruate Reports
If an individual has been denied housing based on inaccuracies in their tenant screening report, an experienced consumer rights lawyer/Identity theft attorney can help challenge the denial, work towards securing housing, and seek damages when it’s called for
When your housing and financial future hang in the balance, know you have rights and work with advocates who can help you uphold them.