How To Check Your Rental History as a Tenant in 4 Steps

When applying for a new rental, landlords often look beyond your income and references to see your rental history. This record helps determine whether they’ll approve you for a lease. But what exactly is it? Let’s go into what it is in the first place, and how to check your rental history, step-by-step. Read below to learn more!

What Is a Rental History? 

As trusted San Antonio property managers, we know that your rental history is a record of your past behavior as a tenant. In essence, it usually shows where you’ve lived, how long you stayed at each property, and your overall reliability in meeting rental obligations. Then, landlords use this information to gauge whether you’re likely to be a dependable tenant in the future. 

To delve into more detail, a rental history report typically includes key details like:

• How consistently you’ve paid the rent
• Any times you’ve violated your lease
• Your credit score + history
• Feedback from previous landlords
• Evictions
• Disputes
• Rental agreement-related legal actions against you

Combined, these insights make up your renting track record. 

How Landlords Use Your Rental History 

As you can imagine, your rental history report is one of the top things that impact your application status. Landlords dissect this information to surmise how large their risk of financial loss or property damage would be with you.

Some of the biggest factors landlords look out for when they examine your rental history report are:

• Whether you’ve paid rent on time consistently 
• How you’ve behaved as a tenant, like maintaining the property and complying with lease terms. 
• Red flags, like past evictions, unresolved disputes, credit problems, or frequent moves, which could signal potential risks. 

A glowing history shows that you’ve followed through with your rental obligations consistently. On the other hand, they may view unresolved issues as a warning sign. They may require you address any problems before they move forward with your application. 

A strong rental history can set you apart from other applicants. Conversely, they may see lingering issues as a red flag. So, if you have any marks on your rental history report, you should address them proactively. To do that, though, you need to be able to check your rental history in the first place. So, let’s break down how you can go about that:

How to Check Your Rental History in 4 Steps

Knowing how to check your rental history is simpler than you think. Here are some easy-to-follow steps on how to check your rental history as a tenant.

1. Request Your Tenant Screening Report

To start learning how to check your rental history, request a copy of your tenant screening report. Many landlords use services like Experian RentBureau or TransUnion to review rental histories. You can contact these agencies directly to access your report. Then, you can read over the reports for accuracy.

Another way to find some of the information that might be on your rental history report is looking at your credit report. Many times, credit reports have some rental-related information, like missed rent payments. As a tip, you can request your free annual credit report from services like annualcreditreport.com.

Or, you could try to find a general background report about yourself. Since this is also part of the rental application process, you might as well get a head start on learning more about it.

2. Look for Errors or Gaps

Once you have your rental history report, carefully comb through it for errors. For instance, stay alert for incorrect dates, payments, or disputes. Then, if you notice discrepancies, gather supporting documents, like lease agreements or receipts, and reach out to the reporting agency to request corrections. 

3. Reach Out to Past Landlords

If you find that some services’ reports don’t tell the whole story, consider contacting your previous landlords. In all likelihood, they could give you a record of your rental payments, feedback on your tenancy, and copies of your lease terms. You can give all these things to your potential landlord for their consideration.

Tips for Maintaining a Good Rental History 

Maintaining a positive rental history isn’t just about paying rent on time. It’s about proving that you can keep commitments aside from just making promises. To become a reliable tenant, you have to undergo a set of expectations which include the following:

1. Timely Rent Payments

A good reputation in the rental market starts with paying rent in a timely manner. You may consider setting reminders or scheduling automatic transfers to avoid forgetting to make payments if you have trouble coping with all important dates. Moreover, if you know that your payment will be late because of some extraordinary reasons, you should always try and negotiate with your landlord. Here is all about taking charge and keeping everything in order.

2. Taking Good Care of the Premise

Treat your rental as if it were your own home. For one, report any maintenance issues immediately. Make sure your landlord can nip any issues in the bud before they escalate. Furthermore, try your hardest to avoid unnecessary damage and leave the property in good condition when you move out. Usually, landlords appreciate tenants who make a genuine effort to preserve their investments.

3. Follow Your Lease Terms

Following your lease terms shows that you have a sense of accountability and respect for the agreement. Whether your lease requires you to avoid unauthorized subletting or keep noise levels down, obeying the rules helps you maintain a positive relationship with your landlord.

4. Communicate Openly and Honestly

Like we said earlier, open and honest communication can make all the difference. Always keep your landlord in the loop about major changes, such as job transitions or unexpected challenges. Having this ongoing dialogue helps you prevent misunderstandings and shows you’re committed to respecting the landlord’s financial security, time, and energy.

5. Provide Notice Before Moving Out

When it’s time to move, make sure to follow the proper procedures outlined in your lease and state laws. Give the landlord written notice within the required notice period. Also, take pains to ensure the property is clean and damage-free before you leave. Showing your landlord such consideration can earn you a great reference for future rentals.

6. Keep Records of Your Tenancy

Maintain copies of lease agreements, receipts, and correspondence with landlords. These documents can serve as proof of your good rental history and help you resolve disputes if any arise. 

Need Help in Your Rental Journey? 

Overall, your rental history is a record of your past behavior as a tenant. It reflects where you’ve lived, how long you stayed at each property, and your overall reliability in meeting rental obligations. Checking your rental history is easier than you might think, and doing so can help you avoid surprises during the application process.  

However, keeping track of rental details and navigating tenant responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where our property management services come in. 

Bay Property Management Group in Texas is here to support tenants like you with resources and guidance tailored to simplify your rental experience. From understanding lease agreements to addressing maintenance concerns quickly and efficiently, our team is dedicated to making your rental process as smooth as possible. Contact us today to learn how we can support your tenant experience every step of the way!