How to read a screening report
Find the report sections and understand what was returned.
On this page
Open the correct applicant’s available report.
Use the report only for its authorized purpose.
Step 1: Open the report
Go to Renters > Applicants, open the person and select Screening report. Check the provider and Received date. Report details shows additional source information when supplied.
Step 2: Start with Overview
Read Credit score, Report coverage and the record counts. A score describes returned credit information; it is not an application decision.
Step 3: Expand the sections
Use Credit & payment, Background, Income & verification and History to move through the report. Open each section for its details and source notes.
Step 4: Check missing or disputed information
Read the section status before interpreting a blank field. Use Report help for the status definitions. If a record looks incorrect, follow the provider’s correction process.
Key terms
A tradeline is a credit account. Revolving accounts have a reusable credit limit; installment accounts have scheduled payments. Balance is the amount reported owed, while Past due is the overdue amount. Inquiries record credit-file access. Derogatory items describe adverse credit information.
Credit & payment
Profile summary shows the record counts supplied. Tradeline summary groups accounts and financial totals. Accounts, balances & past dues contains account details when returned; compare balances, limits, payment amounts and past-due amounts with their dates.
Tradeline payment behavior shows the periods and payment status returned. Read its legend. An unreported month does not establish an on-time payment. Inquiries lists returned credit inquiries.
Background records
Expand Collections, Public records, Eviction records or Criminal records. Read the identifying details, dates, amounts and case information returned. Check each section's status and report coverage before interpreting a zero count.
Coverage and restrictions vary. A restricted, unavailable or omitted section is not a completed check with no findings. Do not treat a possible identity match as confirmed without resolving the discrepancy.
Income and employment
Income report, Identity report and Document review show their own coverage and source. A missing result is not a completed verification.
History contains Address history and Employment when supplied. Applicant-stated income is on the Application tab. Credit-file employment history does not confirm current employment or income.
Report status
Available means data was returned. Not returned means it was not supplied. Not included describes coverage outside this report. Pending, Unavailable and Restricted describe processing or limits.
Review the application separately and apply appropriate criteria consistently. Follow required notices and applicable housing rules; seek qualified guidance when needed. This guide does not make a rental decision or provide legal advice.
Check the result
- You know where to find returned information and its limitations.
FAQs
Does a completed report approve the applicant?
No. Report status describes returned information. It does not make the application decision.
What if a record is wrong?
Identify the section and provider, then follow the report-error guide. Editing an application answer does not change a provider report.