National Tenant Network Tenant Screening Errors? We Can Help

When you’re looking for a place to live, the last thing you want to run into is a tenant screening error. Unfortunately, specialized agencies like National Tenant Network are supposed to provide comprehensive background information to landlords and homeowners without any mistakes.

If you encounter a tenant screening error during your NTN background check, you need to know what to do and how Fair Credit can help. Read on for more information.

What is National Tenant Network (NTN)?

National Tenant Network, also called NTN, is an Oregon-based tenant screening agency originally founded in 1980. Today, NTN still provides wide-ranging, comprehensive tenant background screening services to property managers, owners, landlords, and more.

National Tenant Network is a background screening agency that focuses exclusively on resident screening -- similar to LeasingDesk, SmartMove, and a few other agencies that conduct resident screenings. Put another way, NTN doesn't do background checks for things like employment, job qualifications, etc. It only provides screening services for organizations and individuals that need to acquire tenants.

At the time of this writing, National Tenant Network is one of the oldest resident screening companies in the nation, and it serves subscribers from over 35 regional offices. It provides many different types of tenant screening services, including credit report checks, eviction report checks, employment background screenings, and criminal records searches. Landlords and property owners use NTN because it combines tenant scores based on applicant backgrounds and rental analysis equations.

What Are National Tenant Network Screening Errors?

National Tenant Network screening errors are any mistakes that NTN makes in regard to your background, credit history, or criminal records. These issues can be disastrous, whether there’s just one or several piled on top of each other.

National Tenant Network screening errors can include:

• Mistaking your identity for someone else’s

For example, if you have a very common name, NTN might mistake you for somebody else with the same or even an identical name. When that happens, they may list the second person’s background information in your screening report, leading to confusion, accusations of fraud, and more

• Transposing a number or letter in a critical document or area

For instance, National Tenant Network might accidentally transpose one of your Social Security number digits. As a result, it brings up false information, such as a criminal record that you know doesn’t apply to you

• Using out-of-date or inaccurate information when considering you for tenant status

As an example, NTN might provide your landlord with an out-of-date bankruptcy filing that should have been removed from your record. But instead of telling your landlord this, NTN makes it look like the bankruptcy was much more recent 

Why Do These Errors Happen?

These mistakes can have massive consequences on you and anyone else who they affect. They don’t usually occur because of malicious intent, however.

In most cases, it’s just because one of the employees of National Tenant Network makes a human error. For example, they might type the wrong letter or number when looking for your background information, resulting in lots of inaccurate files popping up. Or they may accidentally confuse your identity with someone else’s, especially if your name is very common.

In other cases, National Tenant Network’s technology might be at fault. The software might glitch out, causing it to retrieve the wrong records. Or there could be a mistake somewhere else along the responsibility chain. Here’s an example:

• National Tenant Network contact county clerk offices to learn more about your financial history
• The county clerk's office accidentally provides NTN with out-of-date financial information without noting the dates or that it should have been erased/removed from your record
• NTN doesn’t look into the matter further, causing it to appear on your tenant screening report

Then, when you finally receive your tenant screening report from National Tenant Network or your landlord, you could notice these issues.

Consequences of National Tenant Network Mistakes

In the end, the consequences of National Tenant Network background screening mistakes are much more important than the causes. Even one major mistake could cause you to miss out on an excellent opportunity for an apartment, home, or other housing situation.

A landlord might notice an error or red flag on your background screening report, for instance, and decide that they can trust you to pay your rent on time. That’s doubly true if the error in question says something about your financial responsibility.

Say that you receive your tenant screening report and it says that you failed to make a rent payment years ago. You know that’s not true, but it’s all because National Tenant Network has confused your identity with someone else's. Your landlord doesn't know that, however, so they use it as a deciding factor for your tenant application.

In the long term, National Tenant Network tenant screening mistakes can follow you for months or even years into the future. If NTN makes a mistake about your criminal record, for example, that mistake may show up during a future background check for a job, another apartment, or something else. Because you don’t want these errors sticking around for too long, it’s important to identify them, dispute them, and get them fixed ASAP.

What to Do if You’re Affected by a National Tenant Network Screening Error

If you’ve been affected by at least one National Tenant Network tenant screening error, you need to know what to do and how to fix it.

Check for More Mistakes

Firstly, take a long, hard look at the rest of your tenant screening report. You should receive a copy of this when you are approved or denied tenancy at an apartment building or some other housing unit. If your landlord is considering denying you a tenancy, they will also provide you with an adverse action notice breaking that down.

You should check for additional mistakes because National Tenant Network might have made more than one error. In that case, write them down and keep them organized. You can include a description of each error in your dispute letter.

File a Dispute with NTN

Next, you need to write National Tenant Network a dispute letter. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute any background or credit information and get it fixed. NTN allows you to do this online or by physical mail.

We recommend doing so online, as it means that NTN will get the information about the inaccurate info more quickly. Once you file a dispute with NTN or any other background-checking agency, it has 30 days to investigate the matter and correct any erroneous info.

Contact Legal Experts

What if National Tenant Network doesn’t correct erroneous info or even open an investigation? In that case, it is in direct violation of your consumer rights and you could have grounds for a lawsuit.

Therefore, it's a good idea to contact a law firm specializing in tenant screening errors like Fair Credit. With legal experts on your side, you'll stand a better chance of seeing an optimal resolution.

How Fair Credit Can Help

Fair Credit is a specialized and boutique law firm focusing on credit, background check, and tenant screening errors. Our experienced attorneys can help you in a variety of ways:

• Firstly, we can help you file an accurate, effective dispute letter. We’ll make sure that your dispute letter with National Tenant Network has enough proof so that the tenant screening agency can quickly locate the erroneous information and make the fix
• Secondly, if NTN refuses to do an investigation, we will break down your rights as an American consumer and ensure you fully understand your options. Whether that’s arbitration, filing a lawsuit, or something else, you can rest assured that we will support you from start to finish
• Thirdly, if you choose to sue National Tenant Network, we’ll help you through the process. We can coach you on what to say and how to say it, represent you in court, and even negotiate on your behalf. If your lawsuit is successful, you’ll recover $1000 or more in damages depending on the specifics

Even better, when you contact Fair Credit, you don’t need to worry about not affording our services. That’s because we operate on a contingency fee basis.

In a nutshell, you don’t have to pay us anything because we only take a commission for money we recover for you from legal actions. For instance, if you sue National Tenant Network and recover damages, we will take a small commission of that award money to pay for our services. But if you don’t recover any funds, no need to worry; we won’t charge you a penny.

Because of this, you can still stand up for your rights and prevent inaccurate background information from compromising your apartment-seeking.

Contact Fair Credit Today

You deserve a smooth, easy apartment application process. But if you’ve encountered one or more National Tenant Network screening errors, don’t hesitate to contact Fair Credit today. Our knowledgeable, educated attorneys are ready to hear the details of your case and give you all the assistance you need.