Before you get the keys to your new rental, whether it’s an apartment in Portland, OR or a Charlotte, NC rental, you can expect your new landlord to conduct a thorough screening process. Landlords want to ensure you’re a responsible tenant who pays rent on time and follows the terms of the lease. Understanding what they’re looking for in your rental history can help you prepare for this key step in the renting process. Here’s what landlords typically check and how you can put your best foot forward.
What is a rental history report?
Landlords and property managers don’t just rely on your word when it comes to your status as a good tenant. They use specialized reports about your history. Landlords want to get a clear picture of your rental record to decide whether you get the apartment.
Some key details that will appear in a rental history report include:
- The addresses of all previous properties you rented
- Contact information for the landlords or property managers you rented from
- How long you lived in each rental
- How much rent you paid
- Any problems, such as late rent payments, damage to the unit, broken leases, neighbor complaints or an eviction notice
- Any recommendations from past landlords or property managers
How do apartments check your rental history?
Sometimes, landlords ask potential tenants about their rental history and include their answers in the application form. However, they’ll usually verify the information themselves. To confirm your rent payment history, landlords usually request a rental history report from a private consumer reporting agency that collects information from various sources, such as credit reporting agencies. This report might also include information like outstanding rent balances from previous properties, bounced checks, or any criminal record.
What are landlords looking for in your rental history?
Apartment managers and landlords evaluate you as a potential renter because they want to see your past record shows you’re trustworthy, financially stable and reliable. They’re looking to confirm whether or not you would be a good tenant.Your rental history report, combined with your rental application, gives landlords insight into these factors.
They’ll verify details like your credit score, employment, income, and references, and may also conduct a background check. With all this information, the landlord can make an informed decision about whether to approve your application.
How to check your own rental history report
You can check your rental history report for free directly from a reporting agency once every 12 months, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can ask the property manager which rent reporting service they intend to use. You’re also entitled to get a report from the reporting agency.
It’s a good idea to get your own copy of your credit history report because you’ll have a chance to check for any errors in your file and get them corrected. If incorrect information like addresses, dates, rent amounts, or previous landlord names show up on your report, that could raise suspicions, and you might be turned down for an apartment.
If you find a mistake, you can ask the reporting company in writing to fix it. When reading your report, always keep your landlord’s perspective in mind. For example, if you have a gap in payment history because you moved in with family for a brief time, mention that upfront when applying for the apartment. This way, your landlord won’t wonder about that information when seeing it on your rental history.
Does rental history show up on a credit report?
No, rental history typically doesn’t show up on a standard credit report. However, if your landlord reports your payments to a credit bureau or if you’re using a rent-reporting service, on-time rent payments may appear on your credit report, potentially boosting your score. On the other hand, unpaid rent or debts sent to collections can negatively affect your credit report and score.
What if you have negative marks on your rental history?
If you already know of potential red flags like evictions or late payments in your rental history, you can speak to the landlord before submitting your application. Perhaps you were in between jobs at the time, but now have steady employment. Maybe you reimbursed your previous landlord, but they didn’t update that information in the report.
If that’s the case, consider reaching out to your old landlord and asking them to fix the situation by updating the information to the rental report service. Landlords will appreciate your honesty, and you’ll be better off addressing those issues upfront instead of having to explain them to a potential landlord.
What if you don’t have a rental history?
For first-time renters, landlords will use other ways to evaluate your potential as a tenant. Instead of requesting a rental history report, they’ll likely run a credit report. They’ll also call your personal references and ask for proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax returns. In some cases, especially if they feel your income isn’t high enough to cover the rent, they could insist on a co-signer for the lease who can guarantee you’ll pay every month.
Do all landlords check my rental history?
Not all landlords check rental history, but many do as part of their tenant screening process. Larger property management companies or landlords of higher-demand rentals are more likely to check rental history to verify your past behavior as a tenant. Smaller, independent landlords may rely more on personal references or income verification. It ultimately depends on the landlord’s screening practices.
Don’t rent without knowing what’s on your rental history
It’s important that you learn about your own rental history to avoid any surprises, help you address any potential issues in advance and ensure your information is always up to date. In the end, this is the best way to ensure you’ll be getting those apartment keys.
