Fighting a Landlord’s Adverse Action

Fighting a Landlord’s Adverse Action (e.g. denying the application) Based on Information Contained in a Tenant Screening Report – If a landlord takes an adverse action based on information contained in a tenant screening report (such as denying the application), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires the landlord to provide the rental applicant with the name, address, and telephone number of the tenant screening company that furnished the report. There is no FCRA private right of action if the landlord fails to comply, but a follow-up request informing the landlord of their legal obligation to produce this information may be successful, even if the landlord does not provide it initially. Use this information to request a copy of your or your client’s “file” from the tenant screening company. The FCRA requires the company to provide it. To review all steps to obtaining relief, especially where the screening error concerns criminal records, please visit the National Consumer Law Center’s website.