RentGrow Tenant Screening Report
RentGrow is one of the most well known tenant screening companies utilized by landlords and property managers across the nation. A RentGrow background check report contains essential details about a rental applicant, including credit reports and other critical information that helps property owners make leasing decisions.
What is RentGrow?
RentGrow is a tenant screening company that screens rental applicants by searching public records and providing landlords with a recommendation to either approve or deny based on criteria set by the landlord.
Generally, RentGrow reports included information on an applicant’s:
- Rental history
- Credit score
- Criminal background
- Eviction records
- Income verification
- And more
This approach ensures that landlords have a clear and accurate picture of a prospective tenant’s background, helping them make more informed decisions.
What Companies Use RentGrow?
RentGrow is used by property management firms ranging from large national companies to small independent landlords. RentGrow caters to more than 50,000 individual rental owners across the U.S., making it a top choice for tenant screening.
How Do I Know If My Prospective Landlord Uses RentGrow?
Typically, any landlord who conducts a RentGrow or other tenant screening check will be transparent about it. However, the use of RentGrow is not mandatory for all apartment communities, so you should ask the property manager or owner directly if they utilize RentGrow when reviewing applications.
You can also look for the name “RentGrow” on rental advertisements, application forms, and other documents related to renting apartments or houses. During the application process, the landlord may require you to sign a special RentGrow authorization form, which will give them permission to conduct the screening.
What Does RentGrow Check For?
RentGrow includes background information on applicants including:
| Screening Category | Description |
| Nationwide Eviction Report | Covers eviction filings from court records across all states in the United States. |
| Criminal Records | Checks for any criminal offenses, including deferred adjudications. |
| Credit History | Includes credit scores, negative accounts, bankruptcies, and VantageScore information. |
| Terrorist Watch List | Access to over 300 global sanctions and enforcement lists. |
| Sex Offender Registry | Searches state databases to identify if the applicant is a registered sex offender. |
| Rental History | Includes domestic addresses provided by the applicant over the last several years. |
In addition to the above, RentGrow may also verify employment, assess income, and check other aspects of a tenant’s profile based on the landlord’s requirements.
Common RentGrow Mistakes
While RentGrow aims to provide accurate reports, errors do occur. Common mistakes found on RentGrow reports include:
- Incorrect Personal Information: This involves mistakes in previous addresses or other personal details.
- Merging Reports: Sometimes, reports of multiple applicants with similar names may be merged, leading to inaccuracies.
- Outdated Public Records: Old or outdated information from public records may be included in the report.
- Misreported Credit Histories: Credit information might be inaccurately reported, which can negatively affect the tenant’s application.
- Improperly Filed Cases: Errors can arise from cases that were not filed correctly in public records.
Many mistakes happen because of erroneous public information being connected to the applicant. RentGrow uses tenant’s personal details to compile histories, so errors in the application process can lead to inaccuracies in the report.
Can I Dispute RentGrow Errors?
Yes, you can dispute RentGrow errors. If you want to file a dispute, you should contact RentGrow’s dispute department preferably through certified mail. Certified mail ensures your rights are not waived which filing online often requires.
It’s essential to provide supporting documents with your dispute to offer proof and warrant an investigation and correction.
The dispute process is supposed to protect tenants from being unjustly and illegally denied housing due to inaccuracies in their screening report. Along with disputing errors, you should contact consumer attorneys with experience disputing RentGrow errors.
How Long Does it Take for RentGrow to Remove Errors?
RentGrow typically aims to resolve tenancy disputes within 30 days, although more complicated cases may take 45 days. RentGrow primarily uses email to communicate with applicants, so be on the lookout for emails informing you of your application status or the resolution of your disputes.
Legal provisions protect tenants during this process, ensuring that landlords cannot take adverse action against tenants while an error is under investigation. Once an error is proven as incorrect or unsubstantiated, RentGrow will remove it from the tenant’s report. However, if the information is considered valid, even if negative, it will remain on the report. RentGrow will then provide an updated report to both the applicant and the landlord.
How Can Tenants Protect Themselves from RentGrow Errors?
Pro Tip #1: Double-Check Your Information
To protect yourself from potential errors in RentGrow reports, it’s essential to double-check all personal information you provide during the rental application process. Ensure that your address, name, and other details are up to date. Small mistakes can lead to significant issues in your screening report, so taking the time to verify your information can save you from future complications.
Pro Tip #2: Act Quickly and Keep Records
If you find an error in your RentGrow report, act quickly to file a dispute and provide as much documentation as possible to support your case. It’s smart to keep a record of all communications with RentGrow and your landlord. You can use these documents later if you decide to file a lawsuit against RentGrow.
What Should Landlords Do When Errors Occur?
Landlords should be aware of the potential for errors in tenant screening reports and be prepared to investigate any disputes raised by applicants. It’s important to communicate clearly with both RentGrow and your prospective landlord to resolve issues promptly.
Landlords should (but do not always) consider reviewing multiple sources of information before making a leasing decision, especially if a RentGrow report contains negative or disputed information. This approach can help avoid unfairly denying housing to qualified applicants. If you believe a landlord or RentGrow has acted outside of the law, in violation of the FCRA, you should contact a legal professional immediately to hold the company accountable for their actions.
