Where Can You Get an Applicant’s Credit Report?

In most states, there are three large credit bureaus offering credit reports: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

You cannot order a credit report directly from any of the three big bureaus. As a landlord, you will need to find a credit reporting agency or a tenant screening service and require them to ask one of the credit bureaus for the applicant’s credit reports. The information you need to provide to these companies will be in your rental application form, including the applicant’s consent for you to run a credit check. We recommend requesting the credit report yourself rather than allowing applicants to bring printed copies. This way, you can be assured of its authenticity. Usually, you will be able to obtain the credit report on the same day that you requested it.

Tellus TIP:

Third party screening and reports are worth more than reports provided by the tenant. Having a third party to verify tenant claims gives you an unbiased picture of their background and credit history.