How to Check and Obtain Rental History Report: The Winning Formula for renters
Introduction
When applying for a new rental, landlords and property managers want to ensure they’re leasing to a reliable and trustworthy tenant. After all, a lease agreement represents a significant commitment, and no one wants to deal with missed payments, property damage, or broken leases. One of the most important tools they use during the screening process is a rental history report. This document provides a detailed snapshot of your past rental behavior, including payment patterns, evictions, lease violations, and even landlord references.
For tenants, understanding your rental history is crucial it can mean the difference between securing your dream apartment or facing repeated rejections. Many renters aren’t aware of what’s included in their report or how much influence it can have over a landlord’s decision.
For landlords, these reports offer a valuable layer of protection. They help minimize risk by identifying responsible renters and filtering out potential red flags before signing a lease.
What is a Rental History Report?
A rental history report is a record of your past rental behavior, similar to how a credit report tracks your financial history. It typically includes:
- Previous addresses (where you’ve rented)
- Payment history (on-time, late, or missed payments)
- Lease violations (unauthorized pets, noise complaints, property damage)
- Evictions (if any)
- Landlord references (feedback from previous property managers)
Who Creates and Maintains These Reports?
- Landlords & Property Managers – They may report payment behavior to tenant screening agencies.
- Tenant Screening Companies – Services like Experian Rent Bureau, CoreLogic, and TransUnion Smart Move compile rental data.
- Public Records – Eviction filings and court judgments may appear in background checks.
Why Knowing Your Rental History is Important ?
Before applying for a new rental, you should review your rental history to:
- Identify potential red flags (late payments, evictions)
- Correct errors before landlords see them
- Prepare explanations for any past issues
- Strengthen your application with positive references
Being proactive helps you avoid surprises and increases your chances of approval.
Benefits of Having a Clean History Report
A strong rental history can:
✅ Speed up lease approvals – Landlords trust applicants with a proven track record.
✅ Lower security deposits – Some landlords reduce deposits for reliable tenants.
✅ Improve negotiation power – You may qualify for better lease terms.
✅ Build long-term landlord relationships – A good history leads to positive references.
How Rental History Affects Lease Approvals
Landlords review rental history reports to:
✔ Verify rental stability – Do you frequently break leases?
✔ Assess payment reliability – Do you pay rent on time?
✔ Check for evictions – Have you been legally removed from a property?
✔ Compare with credit checks – A good rental history can offset weaker credit.
Common Red Flags for Landlords
- Frequent late payments
- Lease violations (unauthorized occupants, property damage)
- Evictions or broken leases
- Negative landlord references
Factors That Impact Your Rental History
Several key factors shape your rental profile:
1. On-Time Payments : Consistently paying rent late can hurt your report. Some landlords report payments to credit bureaus (like Experian RentBureau), which can help or harm your credit.
2. Evictions & Lease Violations : An eviction stays on your record for 7 years, making it harder to rent in the future. Lease violations (like unauthorized pets or noise complaints) may also be noted.
3. Communication with Landlords : If you’ve had issues (late rent, repairs needed), documented communication can show you acted responsibly.
4. Length of Tenancy & References : Long-term leases demonstrate stability. Positive landlord references can offset minor past issues.
How to Check Your Rental History
You have several ways to access your rental history:
1. Request a Report from Tenant Screening Agencies
2. Use Third-Party Services
- Axcessrent.com
3. Review Public Records
- Search your name in county court records for eviction filings.
- Check credit reports (some include rental payment data).
How to Review and Verify Information
Mistakes happen! Follow these steps to ensure accuracy:
- Compare with personal records (lease agreements, payment receipts).
- Dispute errors with the reporting agency (similar to credit report disputes).
- Request corrections from past landlords if they provided incorrect info.
Tips for Improving Your Rental History
If your report has flaws, take action:
✔ Pay rent on time – Set up autopay if needed.
✔ Communicate with landlords – If you’re late, notify them in advance.
✔ Avoid lease violations – Follow property rules.
✔ Get written references – Ask past landlords for positive reviews.
How to Remove Rental History From Your Credit Report
Quick Guide to Removing Rental Records
🔹 Step 1: Check Your Credit Report
- Pull reports from Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
- Look for rental entries from RentBureau, CoreLogic, or landlords
🔹 Step 2: Dispute Errors
- File disputes online with credit bureaus
- Submit proof (receipts, lease agreements)
- Bureaus must respond in 30 days
🔹 Step 3: Negotiate with Landlord
- Ask them to remove negative marks
- Offer payment for deletion (if applicable)
🔹 Step 4: Wait for Removal
- Most rental history falls off after 7 years
- Positive rental history stays indefinitely
🔹 Step 5: Prevent Future Issues
- Use rent-reporting services (like RentTrack)
- Always pay rent on time
- Keep documentation of payments
How AxcessRent Can Help
At AxcessRent, we help renters build and improve their rental history report by:
🔹 Reporting rent payments to credit bureaus (boosting your credit score).
🔹 Providing tools to track rental history.
🔹 Offering rent payment flexibility to avoid late marks.
Want to strengthen your rental profile? Sign up for AxcessRent today!
