The Handlins applied to rent an apartment. They were turned down because a tenant screening report showed a previous eviction. The Handlins provided information showing that the previous eviction case had been resolved in their favor. The credit reporting agency corrected the report. The Handlins were still turned down for the apartment they wanted. The Handlins requested a copy of their report via the credit reporting agency’s website. They wanted to know what additional negative information kept them from getting the apartment they wanted. When they did not get a response, they sent the request through an attorney by email, […]
Fair Credit Reporting Act
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Landlords often use a consumer report to screen new tenant applicants. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) mandates that a landlord who uses a consumer report make certain disclosures when the landlord takes an action adverse to a new tenant. Consumer report. A consumer report contains information about a person’s credit characteristics, character, general reputation, and lifestyle. Examples include credit reports and reports from tenant-screening or reference-checking services. The FCRA applies even if the landlord relies on the consumer report only as one reason for an adverse action. The information in the consumer report does not have to be […]