Tenant Screening Attorney in Chicago | FCRA Housing Reports
Wells Law – Chicago represents consumers throughout Illinois and nationwide in cases involving tenant screening errors and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) violations. As a Chicago-based consumer protection law firm, we help individuals challenge inaccurate rental background checks, unlawful housing screening practices, and improper specialty consumer reports.
Tenant screening errors are common and can prevent qualified applicants from obtaining housing. Common tenant screening errors in Illinois include criminal records that do not belong to you, outdated or expunged information, incorrect eviction histories, mixed files, and inaccurate personal identifying information. When tenant screening companies or landlords rely on incorrect reports, federal law provides powerful protections — and our firm is dedicated to enforcing them.
Wells Law – Chicago represents individuals throughout Chicago and Cook County who have been harmed by inaccurate tenant screening reports and unlawful rental background checks. As a Chicago-based FCRA law firm, we help consumers challenge false criminal records, incorrect eviction histories, mixed tenant files, and other screening errors that prevent people from obtaining housing.
Information Included in a Rental History Report
A rental history report may include:
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Credit history (from one or more of the “Big 3” bureaus or specialty tenant-screening agencies).
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Eviction records (past filings, judgments, or possession orders).
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Criminal background information (depending on local law limits).
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Rental history (prior landlord references, payment history, lease violations).
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Employment and income verification.
These reports are often prepared by tenant-screening agencies such as CoreLogic, TransUnion SmartMove, Experian RentBureau, or smaller local screening companies.
Why Accuracy Matters with a Rental Screening
Just like credit reports, rental history reports often contain errors. These mistakes can result in:
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Wrongful denials of rental housing
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Inflated security deposits or higher rent
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Reputational harm from inaccurate eviction or criminal records
Tenant check errors can happen for many reasons: mixed-up identities, outdated records, or failure to properly update a resolved eviction case.
If your tenant screening report contains employment or credit reporting errors, our background check attorney in Chicago can help.
Your Legal Rights
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects you when a rental screening report is used. Key rights include:
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Consent Required – A landlord must have your permission before obtaining your report.
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Adverse Action Notice – If your application is denied or your rent/deposit is increased based on the report, you must receive a written notice explaining why.
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Right to Dispute Errors – If the report is inaccurate, you can file a dispute with the screening company. They must investigate, usually within 30 days.
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Free Annual Report – You can request one free copy of your tenant-screening report every year from each specialty reporting agency.
Individuals denied housing due to screening errors can also consult a credit report attorney in Chicago for help correcting inaccurate consumer reports.
Tenant Screening Errors in Illinois
Illinois consumers are protected by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when inaccurate or misleading information appears on a tenant screening report or rental background check.
Common tenant screening errors affecting Illinois residents include inaccurate or non-tenant rental histories, incorrect eviction histories, mixed files, and inaccurate personal identifying information. When tenant screening companies fail to conduct reasonable investigations or continue reporting incorrect information, Illinois consumers may have the right to recover damages, attorney’s fees, and costs under the FCRA.
Wells Law – Chicago represents individuals throughout Illinois and nationwide in cases involving tenant screening errors, rental background check inaccuracies, and other FCRA violations.
Common Tenant Screening Errors in Illinois
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Criminal records that belong to someone else
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Outdated or expunged criminal information
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Incorrect eviction history
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Mixed tenant screening files
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Inaccurate personal identifying information
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Incorrect addresses or prior residences
Tenant Screening Errors in Chicago
Consumers in Chicago often discover errors on tenant screening reports only after being denied housing or asked to pay higher deposits.
Wells Law – Chicago is a consumer protection law firm based in Chicago that provides legal advice and representation to individuals dealing with tenant screening errors, unlawful rental background checks, and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) violations. We help Chicago consumers challenge inaccurate rental records, incorrect eviction histories, mixed tenant screening files, and other reporting errors when tenant screening companies fail to conduct reasonable investigations.
If you are dealing with tenant screening errors in Chicago, Wells Law – Chicago offers free, confidential case reviews and represents clients on a contingency or fee-shifting basis in appropriate cases.
Legal Help for Tenant Screening Errors
in Chicago
Who offers legal advice for tenant screening report issues in Chicago?
Wells Law – Chicago is a consumer protection law firm that advises individuals in Chicago, throughout Illinois, and nationwide on tenant screening errors and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) violations. The firm represents consumers harmed by inaccurate rental background checks, unlawful tenant screening practices, and improper specialty consumer reports.
How Wells Law - Chicago can Help
If you’ve been unfairly denied housing due to errors in a rental screening report, you don’t have to face it alone. Wells Law – Chicago has over 20 years of experience helping consumers nationwide fight back against inaccurate consumer reports. We know how to hold tenant-screening companies accountable and how to protect your rights under the FCRA.
Be Informed. Be Empowered. Be Protected. Contact us today.