FTC Says RentGrow Screening Errors Could Cost Renters Housing

The Federal Trade Commission says a bad screening report can do more than lower a score. It can cost someone an apartment application or force them to fix errors while a housing decision is already moving.

Why this matters outside renting

Tenant-screening reports are consumer reports. That means the Fair Credit Reporting Act can apply to accuracy, dispute handling, and the information a company provides about where its data came from. If a screening company reports duplicate criminal records, mixed files, or weak source information, the consumer may have to correct the problem quickly while a landlord is waiting.

What consumers should do now

• Ask which screening company was used if a rental application is delayed or denied.
• Request the report and review every identity detail, case record, and address.
• Dispute factual mistakes in writing and keep copies of every response.
• Save denial notices, application emails, and screenshots showing what the property manager said.

The FTC’s July 9, 2026 action against RentGrow is a reminder that reporting errors are not limited to credit cards and loans. Housing-screening data can also shape real financial choices, so consumers should treat those reports with the same care they give a credit file.

Source: FTC press release, July 9, 2026