Tenant Screening Report Errors: What the FTC's RentGrow Case Means for Renters

Updated November 7, 2026

In July 2026, tenant screening company RentGrow agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle charges that its reports made renters look worse than they were. The case is a clear reminder to check your tenant screening reports before you apply.

What the FTC says went wrong

RentGrow sells tenant screening reports to landlords and property managers. The FTC referred the case to the Justice Department, which filed the complaint. The government alleges:

• Duplicate records. Reports listed the same criminal or eviction case more than once, so applicants looked like they had more convictions or evictions than they did. The FTC says the company knew and did not fix it until the investigation began.
• Hidden sources. When renters asked where their information came from, the company did not disclose that LexisNexis Accurint supplied past addresses and middle names used to match records.
• Ignored disputes. Some disputes, including ones about duplicate records, were labeled "invalid" with no further action.
• Mixed messages. Renters were told a successful dispute had been sent to the property manager, while the property manager was told nothing changed.

The settlement bans these practices and requires reasonable accuracy procedures. It takes effect once a federal judge approves it.

Why this matters even if you never rented from RentGrow

Tenant screening companies are consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Many of them buy data from the same courts, data brokers and aggregators. In 2023, TransUnion's rental screening business paid $15 million to the FTC and CFPB over tenant screening problems, including eviction records. A sealed, dismissed or duplicated case can cost you an apartment if nobody catches it.

How to protect yourself before you apply

1. Request your tenant screening reports. Ask the major tenant screening companies for your file before you start apartment hunting.
2. Look for duplicates and old cases. Check every eviction and criminal record. Make sure each one is yours, appears once, and shows the right outcome.
3. Ask for the sources. Under the FCRA you can ask where each item came from.
4. Dispute in writing. Keep copies. The agency generally has 30 days to investigate and must correct or delete what it cannot verify.
5. If you are denied, use your notice. The landlord must tell you which company supplied the report. You can then get a free copy and dispute it.
6. Escalate. If a dispute is brushed off, file a complaint with the CFPB or FTC, and consider speaking with a consumer attorney.

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