Why was my rental application denied, and what can I do?

If a landlord turns you down because of a tenant screening report, federal law says they must tell you. The notice can be written, spoken, or electronic. It has to name the screening company, give its contact details, and explain that you can get a free copy of the report and dispute mistakes. Being asked for a co-signer, a bigger deposit, or higher rent because of the report also counts.

Ask for your free report within 60 days. Look for wrong names, old evictions, debts you already paid, or records that belong to someone else. Dispute errors with the screening company, the company that supplied the information, or both. They usually have 30 days to investigate.

If you think you were denied because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability, you can file a complaint with HUD. Rules on application fees and screening differ by state. Check your state's page at hud.gov/states. You can file a complaint about a screening company at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What should I do if my rental application is denied because of a tenant screening report? · Checked October 2026