Your rental history plays a significant role in securing your next home. Whether you’re applying for a new apartment or looking to renew a lease, your rental record is a key factor landlords and property managers use to determine your reliability as a tenant. But did you know that you can access your free rental history? Here’s how to get your free rental history check and why it matters.
Why Rental History Matters
Rental history is a summary of your past behavior as a tenant. It includes details such as the properties you’ve rented, the length of your stays, payment timelines, and whether you’ve broken any lease agreements. More importantly, it can indicate whether you’ve faced evictions or legal disputes related to tenancy.
Landlords often consider applicants with a strong rental history as low-risk. According to data from TransUnion, 81% of landlords believe a thorough rental screening is a critical part of the tenant selection process. That means having your rental history report on hand could significantly improve your chances of impressing prospective landlords.
Where to Start Your Free Rental History Check
Luckily, obtaining your free rental history check is simpler than you might think. Here’s where you should begin looking for this essential report.
1. Contact Major Tenant Screening Services
Tenant screening services like Experian RentBureau and CoreLogic’s MyRental specialize in maintaining rental records reported by landlords and property managers. Some of these services allow you to request your own report for free, eliminating the guesswork around your renting track record.
To apply, visit their websites and follow their request submission forms. Keep in mind that you may need to verify your identity using documents like your ID or proof of residency.
2. Check Your Credit Report
A surprising fact most renters don’t know is that your credit report often includes rental history information. Missed rental payments or long-standing leases may appear on your credit file, which you are entitled to view for free once a year through AnnualCreditReport.com. Requesting your credit report not only allows you to review rental-related credit data but ensures you’re presenting an accurate and up-to-date profile to landlords.
3. Ask Your Current or Past Landlords
Some landlords and property management companies provide rental verifications upon request. This document outlines the duration of your lease, payment consistency, and any issues that occurred. While not a complete report, it can be a strong supplement to tenant screening records and a credit report. Additionally, glowing endorsements from past landlords speak volumes about your reliability as a tenant.
4. Use State-Specific Tenant Databases
Certain states have laws requiring landlords to use tenant databases for screening purposes. For instance, states like California and Texas regulate tenant reports to ensure transparency. If you live in a state that maintains such systems, you may have the right to request your report directly from these databases. Consult your state’s housing authority or relevant consumer protection agency to explore this option.
What to Look for in Your Rental History
Once you’ve obtained your rental history, make sure to review it for accuracy. Common issues to watch for include outdated lease details, missing paid rent payments, or errors around previous evictions. Discrepancies should be reported to the entity that provided the incorrect information; they are legally required to investigate and correct inaccurate records.
Insider Tip
By law, negative information like evictions generally stays on your rental history file for seven years. If you find older records impacting your report, consider reaching out for removal requests or ensure landlords focus on your recent history instead.
Stay Ahead With a Clear Rental History
Having a transparent, accurate rental history report makes the leasing process much smoother—not to mention it gives you a competitive advantage. Checking your past rental records for free through tenant services, credit reports, or landlord verification can save you uncertainty and strengthen your rental opportunities.
