Denied Due to a RentGrow Background Check? Dispute Errors & Sue for FCRA Violations
You spent weeks searching for the right apartment, touring properties, and preparing for your move. Then, after submitting your application, you find out that you were denied, or approved “with conditions,” meaning you have to pay a higher security deposit than expected. When you ask for details, the property manager tells you the decision was based on your RentGrow screening report. If you have decent credit, no criminal record, and a solid rental history, you may be confused about why your application was rejected and wondering whether something on your report is wrong.
RentGrow, a Yardi Systems company, provides tenant screening reports that property managers use to evaluate applicants. These reports rely on information from multiple data sources, and errors in that information can sneak into your report. The good news is that you have the right to see what RentGrow reported, dispute inaccurate information, and have errors properly investigated under federal law.
This article explains how RentGrow screening works, common errors we encounter on RentGrow reports, how to file a dispute, and what to do if the problem remains unresolved. As consumer protection attorneys who frequently handle tenant screening cases nationwide, we’ll also explain when a RentGrow reporting error may violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and when you may have grounds to sue.
How RentGrow Screening Reports Work
When you apply for an apartment, the property manager submits your information through RentGrow to generate a tenant screening report. RentGrow pulls your credit history, criminal records, eviction filings, and other background data, then runs it against the property's own criteria to produce a recommendation: approve, approve with conditions, or decline. Because every property sets its own criteria, the same file can come back approved at one building and declined at another.
It’s important to note that RentGrow doesn't make the leasing decision. The property manager makes the final decision based on the recommendation RentGrow hands them. That's exactly why an error in your report matters as much as it does. A duplicate eviction, a criminal record that belongs to someone else, or any other mistake in the underlying data can shape the property manager’s decision and lead to a wrongful denial or conditional approval.
Denied by RentGrow? What It Really Means When You're Turned Down
A RentGrow denial means the information in your screening report doesn't meet the criteria needed to rent that specific property, not that you failed some universal RentGrow standard that applies to every rental. This means a denial is never just about RentGrow's data on its own. It's the data plus that property's risk tolerance. If the data itself is wrong, that's the part you can dispute, and if RentGrow won't fix it, you could have a valid legal claim.
If your application was denied due to your RentGrow screening results, start by finding out exactly what information led to the decision. Your denial or adverse action notice should identify RentGrow as the reporting agency and explain how to request your report. Get a copy, and compare it against what you actually know about your credit, criminal, eviction, and rental history. Look for records that aren't yours, duplicate or outdated entries, and incorrect case outcomes. If something on your report is wrong, you have the right to file a dispute and RentGrow must actually investigate your dispute and fix any errors.
RentGrow Instant Denial and Conditional Approval Explained
RentGrow screening results can sometimes be returned within minutes or hours, depending on the information available and the property’s screening criteria. A fast result doesn’t, by itself, mean that the report is inaccurate. If the outcome doesn’t match your credit, rental, criminal, or eviction history, however, you should request a copy of the report and review the information RentGrow used.
Conditional approval, meaning you were not rejected outright but the landlord requires a larger deposit, a co-signer, or another additional condition, may still qualify as an adverse action under the FCRA. If the decision was based in whole or in part on a RentGrow consumer report, you have the right to receive an adverse action notice and request the report used in the decision. If the information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can dispute it with RentGrow.
Yardi Resident Screening Denied? Same Company, Same Rights
If your denial notice says "Yardi Resident Screening" instead of RentGrow, you're most likely looking at older paperwork. RentGrow previously did business as Yardi Resident Screening. In September 2017, Yardi changed the client-facing product name to ScreeningWorks Pro and returned consumer-facing materials to the RentGrow name. Whichever name appears on your notice, it's the same legal entity, RentGrow, Inc., a Yardi Systems subsidiary, and the FCRA obligations and dispute rights covered throughout this page apply exactly the same way either way.
How To Get a Free Copy of Your RentGrow Report
RentGrow provides your current screening report free of charge through its online portal. This is the report you want if you're addressing an active denial or conditional approval, since it reflects what the property manager actually saw. Request your free report here:
RentGrow Tenant Screening Report Request
RentGrow also maintains a separate, broader record called your “consumer file”, which includes every screening report RentGrow has ever prepared on you, if more than one exists. Requesting the full file takes longer (up to 60 days), and requires mailing a signed request with your full name, complete mailing address, and a copy of a government-issued ID (State ID, Driver’s License, etc.) to:
RentGrow Consumer Relations
PO Box 1675
Hicksville, NY 11802-1675
Note: Please confirm the mailing address before sending any documents.
How to Dispute a RentGrow Tenant Screening Report
If you find inaccurate or incomplete information on your RentGrow report, you have the right to dispute the specific items you believe are wrong. RentGrow has an online portal for disputes, but we recommend sending the RentGrow Dispute Form through certified mail, since this can become evidence if your dispute turns into a legal claim in the future. Also, online portals frequently limit your explanation space, restrict attachment sizes, and may bury binding arbitration clauses in their terms of service.
1. Identify the information you want to dispute.
RentGrow’s dispute form separates disputes involving credit or rental history, criminal records, and civil court records. Start by identifying the specific item that is wrong and determine which section of RentGrow’s dispute form applies.
2. Select the reason the information is wrong.
RentGrow’s form provides specific dispute reasons depending on the type of information you are challenging. For example, you may be able to indicate that a record does not belong to you, appears more than once, or involves charges that were dismissed, expunged, or sealed. Choose the reason that most accurately describes the error on your report.
3. Gather documents that support your dispute.
Send documentation that directly shows why the information is inaccurate or incomplete. What you need will depend on the error:
| Type of Error | Documents That May Help Support Your Dispute |
| Record belongs to someone else | Government-issued ID, proof of address history, or other identifying information |
| Criminal record is inaccurate or outdated | Certified court disposition or other official court records |
| Record was dismissed, expunged, or sealed | Court order or certified documentation showing the disposition |
| Rental history is incorrect | Lease agreements, payment records, move-out documentation, and/or a statement from a former landlord |
| Eviction or civil court information is incorrect | Court docket, judgment, dismissal, satisfaction, or other court documentation |
| Identity theft | Identity Theft Report and documents showing the account or record resulted from identity theft |
RentGrow also requires a copy of your government-issued identification with your dispute (State ID, Driver’s License, etc.). Send copies of your supporting documents and keep the originals for your records.
4. Submit your RentGrow dispute.
Submit the completed dispute form and supporting documents, preferably by certified mail. Be specific about each item you are challenging and include the documentation that supports your position.
5. Keep proof of everything you submitted.
Save a complete copy of your dispute, supporting documents, confirmation numbers, and any correspondence with RentGrow. If you submit your dispute by mail, document when it was delivered. These records can help establish when RentGrow received your dispute and become especially important if the information is not corrected.
Contact and Submission Details
| Online Dispute | RentGrow Dispute Portal (rentgrow.com/dispute-now) |
| Phone | (800) 898-1351, Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 8:30 pm Eastern |
| information@rentgrow.com | |
| Fax | (781) 583-5112 |
RentGrow Consumer Relations 177 Huntington Avenue, STE 1703 #74213 Boston, MA 02115-3153 |
If you have questions about the form or the process, RentGrow's Consumer Relations team can be reached at (800) 898-1351, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 8:30 pm Eastern.
How Long Does a RentGrow Dispute Take? (the 30-Day FCRA Rule)
RentGrow generally has 30 days to complete its reinvestigation after receiving your dispute. If you submit relevant new information while the investigation is underway, the FCRA may allow up to 15 additional days. Once the reinvestigation is complete, RentGrow must send you written notice of the results within five business days.
Check Your RentGrow Dispute Status
You can check the status of your RentGrow dispute through RentGrow's online dispute system, or by calling Consumer Relations at (800) 898-1351 during business hours.
What To Do If Your RentGrow Dispute Is Taking Too Long
If your dispute sits well past 30 days, or comes back with a vague confirmation and no real explanation, don't keep waiting. Request the full reinvestigation file, alongside a formal description of the procedure RentGrow used to verify the information, file a complaint with the CFPB and your state Attorney General, and contact a lawyer to discuss potential legal options. A dispute stalled past the legal deadline can be separate evidence that RentGrow failed its obligations, independent from whatever the original error was.
Common RentGrow Errors That Get Renters Denied
RentGrow’s own records show just how often disputed eviction information has required changes. In McIntyre v. RentGrow, Inc., the First Circuit noted that consumers filed 2,953 disputes involving eviction records in RentGrow screening reports over a two-year period from 2016 to 2018. Of those disputes, 2,526 (about 85%) resulted in corrections of some kind. While that does not mean that 85% of all RentGrow reports contain errors, it shows how frequently disputed eviction information required correction during that two-year period.
Eviction records are only one type of RentGrow reporting problem our attorneys handle. Renters regularly contact us after discovering potentially inaccurate or improperly reported information on their screening reports, including:
- Mixed files: A criminal or eviction record belonging to someone else with a similar name or birth date.
- Duplicate records: The same case counted twice, making one incident look like a pattern.
- Outdated or vacated evictions: A filing that was dismissed, withdrawn, or decided in your favor, but still shows as active or negative.
- Expunged or sealed criminal records: Records that legally shouldn't appear on a screening report at all.
- Records past the FCRA's limit:Under the FCRA, many adverse records, including civil suits, civil judgments, and arrest records, generally cannot be reported after seven years. Criminal convictions are treated differently under federal law, while some states impose additional limits.
Can You Sue RentGrow for FCRA Violations?
RentGrow has to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act, just like any other consumer reporting agency. When they fail to keep their data accurate, fail to properly reinvestigate a dispute, fail to report something the FCRA doesn't allow, or block your rental or cause financial harm, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against RentGrow or Yardi Systems.
Depending on the violation and the harm it caused, you may be able to recover:
- Actual damages: lost application fees, a higher deposit, temporary housing, and moving costs tied directly to the error.
- Statutory damages: for certain willful FCRA violations, the law allows statutory damages of $100 to $1,000, even when actual damages cannot be proven.
- Punitive damages: available when RentGrow's failure was willful, not just negligent.
- Attorney's fees and costs: if your case is successful, RentGrow pays your legal fees.
RentGrow Lawsuits, the FTC Settlement & Regulatory Actions
RentGrow's accuracy problems aren't hypothetical. Regulators and courts have built a record against the company for over a decade.
The FTC settlement (2026): In August 2026, a federal court entered a stipulated order requiring RentGrow to pay a $2.25 million civil penalty to settle FTC allegations that it violated the FCRA and FTC Act. The FTC alleged that RentGrow sometimes reported the same criminal or eviction case multiple times, failed to fully disclose certain data sources used to match records to consumers, and improperly labeled some disputes “invalid” without completing the required investigation.
NACA v. RentGrow (2024, ongoing): The National Association of Consumer Advocates sued RentGrow and Yardi Systems under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act, alleging that RentGrow marketed tenant screening reports as accurate while reporting certain criminal and eviction information that was outdated, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. In November 2025, the court dismissed Yardi for lack of personal jurisdiction but allowed the claims against RentGrow to proceed, finding that the FCRA did not preempt the D.C. consumer protection claims. RentGrow has denied liability.
McIntyre v. RentGrow (1st Cir. 2022): The First Circuit found that a jury could conclude that RentGrow reported materially misleading eviction information and failed to use reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. However, the court ultimately ruled for RentGrow on the plaintiff’s claim of a willful FCRA violation.
Wilson v. RentGrow (Washington, 2013):The ACLU of Washington filed a class action alleging that RentGrow violated the Washington Fair Credit Reporting Act by reporting criminal records that were too old to be included in tenant screening reports. The case was resolved through a $150,000 settlement that provided compensation to affected renters and required changes to RentGrow’s reporting practices.
Together, these proceedings show that RentGrow’s handling of criminal records, eviction information, record matching, and consumer disputes has faced legal and regulatory scrutiny. Whether you have an FCRA claim, however, depends on what RentGrow reported about you, how it handled your dispute, and the harm the report caused.
How Consumer Attorneys Helps Renters With RentGrow Errors
If a RentGrow error affected your ability to get approved for housing, you do not have to navigate the dispute or legal process on your own. Our consumer protection attorneys regularly handle tenant screening cases, and can help determine what went wrong and what legal options you have.
Our attorneys can help by:
- Reviewing your RentGrow report, denial, and dispute history for potential FCRA violations.
- Identifying and helping the client gather helpful supporting documentation, including records that do not belong to you or information that should not be reported.
- Helping you dispute inaccurate information by drafting the letter that supports your dispute.
- Evaluating RentGrow’s investigation if an error comes back “verified” or remains on your report after you dispute it.
- Determining whether you have grounds to sue when RentGrow fails to meet its obligations under the FCRA.
- Pursuing available compensation for financial and other harm caused by an FCRA violation, when appropriate.
Consumer Attorneys has more than 75 years of combined experience representing consumers nationwide. If a RentGrow screening error caused a rental denial, conditional approval, or other housing problem, contact us for a free case review.
Dealing With a Different Screening Company?
RentGrow is one of several tenant screening companies property managers use, and the dispute process differs by vendor. A few others you may be dealing with:
Frequently Asked Questions
RentGrow has 30 days under the FCRA to investigate a dispute once it's received, with a possible 15-day extension for new information submitted mid-investigation. Past 30 days with no resolution, that delay itself is a violation.
Yes, if the report violated your FCRA rights and caused harm, like a denial or a higher deposit. You may be entitled to actual damages, statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per violation, and attorney's fees.
RentGrow may receive credit information from one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. The bureau used can depend on the screening product and property configuration, and your RentGrow report should identify which bureau supplied the credit information. RentGrow itself is not a credit bureau. It is a tenant screening company that combines credit bureau data with other information that may include rental history, civil records, and criminal records.
The credit bureau used can depend on the screening product and configuration. Your RentGrow report should identify which credit bureau supplied the credit information. RentGrow itself isn't a credit bureau. It's a screening company that combines bureau data with criminal and rental history records.
It's a real, FCRA-regulated consumer reporting agency owned by Yardi Systems, used by property managers nationwide. Legitimate doesn't mean accurate. Federal regulators fined RentGrow $2.25 million in 2026 over reporting failures, and renters regularly contact our law firm about real errors in their files.
Property managers of all sizes nationwide, from small local landlords to large multifamily operators, sometimes under the "Yardi Resident Screening" name on older paperwork. There's no full public list of which properties use it. Your leasing office or denial notice is the only way to know for sure.
Daniel Cohen is the Founder of Consumer Attorneys. Daniel manages the firm’s branding, marketing, client intake and business development efforts. Since 2017, he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center. Mr. Cohen is a nationally-recognized practitioner of consumer protection law. He has a we... Read more
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