GUIDE
Apartment Adverse Action Notices: What to Do Next
An adverse action notice tells you which report was behind a rental decision that went against you. It can come with a denial or with worse terms, like a higher deposit, when a consumer report played a part.
What this guide covers
- Finding the screening company to contact
- Asking for your free report within 60 days
- Choosing the right next step
Find the company you need to contact
The notice should name the consumer reporting company and give its contact information. It should say the company didn't make the rental decision, and it should explain your rights to dispute wrong information and get a free report. If you were told this out loud, ask for it in writing so you have a record.
Ask for your free report within 60 days
Ask the company for your free copy within 60 days of the notice. Keep the notice date and the proof of your request together. Asking the leasing office for a copy can help, but you still need to ask the report company yourself.
When the report comes, compare it with the reason you were given. A notice may name more than one company. If it's still unclear, ask the property which report or recommendation played a part in the decision.
Choose the right next step
- A wrong case or balance: dispute the entry and send proof.
- Accurate information but unclear policy: that's our part. We check the property's criteria and how its review works.
- A possible rights violation: save the paperwork and ask legal aid about your situation and deadlines.
The notice isn't an eviction notice, and it doesn't promise a second look. For the federal rules and examples of adverse actions, see FTC: tenant background checks and your rights. Use the background report dispute steps when you find an error.
What to do next
- Find the screening company named on the notice.
- Ask for your free report within 60 days.
- Dispute any wrong entry and send proof.
- If the entry is right, send us your search details. We check other properties' criteria against it.
Published by the Felon Friendly Apartment Team. This is general renter information. Each property makes its own decisions, and questions about your own case belong with a lawyer or legal aid.
Common Questions
What is an adverse action notice?
It tells you a consumer report played a part in a rental decision that went against you. It names the company that made the report.
What should I do after I get one?
Ask the company for your free report within 60 days. Check it for errors and dispute anything wrong.
Does a landlord have to give this notice?
Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, yes, when a consumer report played a part in a denial or worse terms. The landlord can give it out loud, in writing or electronically.
Know Where You Stand Before You Pay to Apply
Tell us what you need in your next home. We check each community's screening criteria against your record for free, so you can pick where to spend application fees.