Renting a property often requires a thorough background check to ensure that potential tenants are responsible and reliable. One essential aspect of this process is verifying a person’s rental history. Rental history provides crucial information about an individual’s past behavior as a tenant, helping landlords make informed decisions. If you’re wondering how to obtain your rental history, this article covers all the key points and provides some additional insights into related frequently asked questions (FAQs).
How do I get rental history?
**To obtain your rental history, follow these steps:**
1. Contact previous landlords: Reach out to your previous landlords and request a reference letter or a document indicating your rental period, the amount of rent paid, and your general behavior as a tenant.
2. Check your credit report: Your credit report often contains rental information, including addresses, payment history, and any evictions. Request a free copy of your credit report from annualcreditreport.com or the credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
3. Consult rental history databases: Some companies compile rental history databases accessible to landlords or tenants themselves. Websites such as RentPrep, Tenant Verification, and Tenant Data offer these services for a fee.
4. Ask for employer references: Landlords may also consider contacting previous employers to verify your employment history and stability, which can indirectly reflect on your reliability as a tenant.
5. Provide personal references: Offering personal references from individuals who can vouch for your character, responsibility, and reliability can also strengthen your rental application.
6. Use a rental history reporting service: Websites like RentTrack and Rental Kharma allow tenants to self-report their rental payments, helping to build a positive rental history that can be shared with potential landlords.
7. Consider a Guarantor or Co-signer: If you have no rental history, having someone with a solid rental record co-sign the lease or act as your guarantor can increase your chances of being approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I get rental history if I have always lived with family or friends?
Yes, even if you haven’t rented a property before, you can provide personal references or use rental history reporting services to demonstrate your reliability.
2. Why do landlords require rental history?
Landlords want to ensure they are renting to individuals who have a track record of being responsible tenants and paying their rent on time.
3. How far back should rental history go?
Typically, it’s best to provide rental history from the past three to five years. However, if you have been a tenant for longer, you can include that information as well.
4. Can a landlord reject my application if I don’t have rental history?
While it is possible for a landlord to reject an application based on the lack of rental history, providing strong references and a co-signer can increase your chances of being approved.
5. What if my previous landlord is no longer available?
If you cannot reach your previous landlord, try using other methods to obtain rental history, such as credit reports, personal references, or rental history reporting services.
6. Can I remove negative rental history from my record?
If the information is accurate, it is challenging to remove negative rental history. However, you can focus on building a positive rental history going forward.
7. What should I do if my rental history is unfavorable?
If you have an unfavorable rental history, be proactive and address any issues directly with potential landlords. Offering explanations or additional references might help mitigate concerns.
8. Can a landlord refuse to rent to me based on my rental history?
Yes, if your rental history reveals a pattern of late payments, property damage, or eviction, a landlord may choose not to rent to you.
9. How can I present my rental history to potential landlords?
You can share your rental history through reference letters, credit reports, rental history reporting services, or by providing contact information for previous landlords.
10. Can landlords check my rental history without my permission?
Landlords must have your permission to check your rental history by obtaining signed consent from you.
11. What if I have no rental history or references?
Having no rental history or references can make the rental process more challenging. In such cases, providing a co-signer or offering additional personal references can strengthen your application.
12. Can I use my rental history from another country?
If you have rental history from another country, it may still be valuable to provide as it demonstrates your experience as a tenant. However, landlords might prioritize local rental history for easier verification.
By following the steps outlined above, you can obtain your rental history to present to potential landlords confidently. Remember, it’s crucial to maintain a positive rental history by being a responsible tenant, paying rent on time, and addressing any issues promptly.