Finding a safe and comfortable place to live is one of the most important goals for individuals and families alike. Whether you are renting your first apartment or seeking a new home, you expect the application process to be fair. Unfortunately, many renters discover that something unexpected stands in their way: errors in their background checks. These mistakes can have serious consequences, sometimes preventing qualified applicants from securing housing. Continue reading and reach out to a seasoned background check error lawyer from Cook Law to learn more about how these errors affect housing applications and how our legal team can help.
How can background check errors hurt your chances of renting?
Landlords and property management companies often rely on tenant screening reports to make decisions about who they will rent to. These reports may include information about criminal history, credit, prior evictions, and more. But what happens if the information in the report is wrong? The answer is simple and troubling: a mistake in your background check could mean a denied application, higher security deposits, or additional requirements that other applicants do not face.
Imagine being turned away from a home you can afford simply because your report mistakenly lists a criminal conviction that does not belong to you. Or think about how a wrongful eviction record could make a landlord question your reliability as a tenant. Sadly, these errors are more common than many people realize, and the people affected often do not even know about the problem until it is too late.
Why do background check errors happen in the first place?
There are several reasons why background check errors occur, and most of them are beyond your control. Sometimes, background check companies mix up people with similar names or dates of birth. Other times, they fail to update records that have been cleared, sealed, or expunged. In some cases, outdated or incomplete information is reported because the company did not properly verify the details.
Though laws are in place that require background check companies to take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of their reports, mistakes still slip through. The speed at which these reports are compiled and sold to landlords can lead to carelessness. What is even more frustrating is that you may have no idea a landlord received incorrect information about you unless you request a copy of the report yourself.
What can you do if a background check error costs you a rental?
The good news is that you do not have to accept these errors or their consequences. You have rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If a background check company provides inaccurate information that harms you, you can dispute the error and demand that it be corrected. You also have the right to request a free copy of the report from the company that prepared it. In some cases, you may even have the right to seek compensation through legal action.
Our firm can help you through this process. We know how to challenge the errors, protect your rights, and hold companies accountable. If a background check error has interfered with your ability to rent a home, do not wait. Contact Cook Law today.
