Short answer
Consumer reports are regulated. A landlord should obtain the required authorization and use the report for a permissible rental purpose.
What to do next
Keep the signed authorization and the screening provider’s terms with the application record.
Save the current lease, dated messages, receipts and any property-specific evidence together. A useful record shows what happened, when it happened and which document or rule you relied on.
Check the source
Rules may change and the right answer can depend on the home, city, lease and timing. Review the current official material before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.
FTC — Using consumer reports as a landlord ↗
Put it into your workflow
A repeatable process turns a one-time answer into a reliable rental record. Capture the action in your property file, assign a follow-up date if needed and make sure any tenant communication matches the signed agreement.
Keep the signed authorization and the screening provider’s terms with the application record.
General information for U.S. landlords, with a Texas focus. This guide is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Consult a qualified professional for your situation.