You were declined. What actually happens next

You are owed an adverse action notice

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), when a landlord declines an application or requires modified terms (such as a larger deposit or co-signer) based on a consumer report, they must provide an adverse action notice.

That notice must identify the agency that supplied the report, along with their address and toll-free phone number.

You can get the report free

You have the right to request a free copy of that report from the agency within 60 days of the notice.

Always request a copy. Tenant screening reports can contain errors, such as records belonging to another person with a similar name, dismissed evictions still listed as active filings, or resolved debts showing as open.

You can dispute what is wrong

If information in the report is inaccurate or incomplete, you can dispute it directly with the reporting agency. They are required by law to investigate, typically within 30 days.

Submit your dispute in writing with supporting documentation and request that corrected reports be sent to parties who recently reviewed the file.

An eviction filing is not the same as a judgment

A filing indicates a case was initiated, whereas a judgment means it was decided. Cases that were dismissed, settled, or withdrawn are often mischaracterized on informal reports.

If you were never evicted, obtain certified court records from the clerk of the court to prove the dismissal.

Fair housing and source of income protections

Federal fair housing law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability. Many states and localities also prohibit discrimination based on source of income, including housing vouchers.

Complaints can be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or your state/local human rights commission.

Practical next steps

Key action steps to take immediately:

• Request your screening report and inspect it for errors
• Dispute and resolve inaccuracies with the reporting agency
• Seek property managers who publish their screening criteria upfront
• Ask whether a larger deposit or a co-signer would change the outcome