Rent and applications
Why was my rental application denied, and can I find out?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Common reasons are income below the landlord's requirement, low credit or debts in collections, a past eviction or money owed to a former landlord, a negative landlord reference, incomplete information or simply another applicant being chosen first. If the denial was based on a screening report, federal law generally requires the landlord to tell you and name the company that supplied it.
That notice, often called an adverse action notice, should tell you which screening or credit reporting company was used and that you can request a free copy of your report from them within a set period. Request it. Errors are common, including records that belong to someone with a similar name.
- Ask the landlord, politely, what the main reason was. Many will tell you.
- Request your free report from the screening company named in the notice.
- Dispute anything wrong directly with that company, in writing.
- Fix what you can before the next application: add a guarantor, target lower rent or gather stronger references.
A landlord can deny you for legitimate financial reasons, but not because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability, which the federal Fair Housing Act protects. Many states and cities add more protected categories, such as source of income. If you believe a denial was discriminatory, you can contact the US Department of Housing and Urban Development or your state or local fair housing agency.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting Your First Apartment: Applications, Leases and Move-in Costs.