A tenant screening report is a consumer report, and a landlord may obtain one only for a permissible purpose — the applicant’s own application for tenancy — and in practice with the applicant’s authorisation on the application form. The FTC explains the landlord’s duties under the Fair Credit Reporting Act: use the report only for the purpose obtained, give an adverse action notice when the report contributes to an unfavourable decision, and securely dispose of the report afterwards. The CFPB describes what such reports contain — credit, eviction and criminal records — and how consumers dispute errors. Consent is therefore both a legal safeguard and the first page of the screening file.
What the consent should say
- Who is asking: the landlord or agent by name, and the property.
- What will be obtained: credit report, tenant-screening report (eviction and rental history), criminal background, employment and income verification, prior-landlord references.
- From whom: the named screening provider or “a consumer reporting agency.”
- For what: evaluating this rental application and, if the lease is signed, its renewal and collection — nothing else.
- The applicant’s signature and date; a separate signature for each adult applicant.
Permissible purpose and its limits
| Action | Allowed? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pull a report on an applicant who signed the consent | Yes | Permissible purpose: the tenancy application |
| Pull a report on a co-signer | Yes, with the co-signer’s own consent | Separate authorisation |
| Pull a report on a current tenant for renewal | Yes, if the consent covers it or a new consent is signed | State it in the original consent |
| Pull a report on a prospective tenant’s spouse who is not applying | No | No permissible purpose |
| Share the report with another landlord | No | Use only for the stated purpose |
| Keep the report indefinitely | No — dispose securely when no longer needed | Disposal rule (FTC) |
Texas-specific ties
The consent sits beside the §92.3515 criteria acknowledgment — the criteria say what the report will be judged against, the consent authorises obtaining it. If the report contributes to a denial, a co-signer requirement, a larger deposit or higher rent, the adverse action notice follows; the adverse action guide sets out the content.
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord need consent to run a tenant screening report?
A landlord needs a permissible purpose — the applicant’s own tenancy application — and the standard practice is a signed authorisation on the application that names the reports and their use (FTC).
Can the same report be used for a different property?
Only if the applicant applied for that property too; use is limited to the purpose for which the report was obtained (FTC).
What does a tenant screening report contain?
Typically credit history, eviction records, rental history and criminal records, compiled by a consumer reporting agency; the applicant may dispute inaccuracies with the agency (CFPB).
Sources
Rules change and the right answer can depend on the home, the city, the lease and the timing. These are the official pages this guide relies on; check them before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.
- FTC — Using consumer reports: what landlords need to know ↗
- CFPB — Tenant screening reports (key terms) ↗
- Texas Property Code, Chapter 92 — Residential Tenancies ↗
- Texas State Law Library — Leases ↗
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. Written by the rentalfreelease.com Editorial Team; last reviewed September 19, 2026.