Apartment Credit Checks: Prepare the File

Landlords can use tenant-screening reports and credit information. Review reports, gather income records, and ask what screening criteria apply.

Know the report

Tenant screening can include credit, rental history, eviction records, criminal records, and risk scores from specialty companies.

Review before applying

Check credit reports and obtain relevant tenant-screening files when available. Correct factual errors with documents.

Ask about criteria

Income multiples, deposits, guarantors, score cutoffs, and treatment of collections vary. Asking first can avoid fees for a clearly mismatched application.

Adverse action rights

If a report leads to denial, a higher deposit, or another adverse action, the notice should identify the reporting company and explain rights to a free report and dispute.