My tenant screening report mixed me with someone else. How do I correct it fast to get approved?

Question

I finally found an apartment that checked every box. I applied, paid the fees, and thought I was in the clear. Then the landlord said there was “an issue” with my tenant screening report. When I pulled it, I saw criminal and rental history that clearly wasn’t mine. Different age. Different past addresses. Someone else’s record entirely. But now my approval is on hold, and I’m worried they’ll rent the unit to someone else while I’m stuck waiting.

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

This is a classic tenant screening mixed file error, and it’s covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Screening companies must report only information that actually belongs to you, and they must reinvestigate disputes promptly.

Here’s what to do immediately:

Save the full tenant screening report and any messages from the landlord.
Dispute the incorrect records in writing and state clearly that the information belongs to someone else.
Provide proof of identity and address history to separate your file.
Request an expedited reinvestigation due to an active housing application.

Many landlords will reconsider once a corrected report is issued. If the delay or denial costs you housing, you may also have legal options under the FCRA.