Here’s how it works:

Landlords hire screening companies to vet potential tenants. Those screening companies use secret algorithms to assign tenants “scores” using their personal info. They could have one for you, and you’d have no idea.

That’s why I created a guide to help you request your tenant scores and screening report (using the feedback and questions from people in this community).

A bit of background: Tenant scores are different from your credit score and can have a huge impact on your life when you’re trying to find an apartment. Some renters told me they were denied apartments or asked to pay double in security deposits because of these tenant scores.

I didn’t know I’d been screened until I got my own tenant report, which showed:

-the address of a room I sublet in college

-a $100 late fee I paid in 2018

-how much I paid in rent

These aren’t just things I hardly remember — I also don’t necessarily want future landlords to know this info.

But the report still didn’t show my tenant score, so I sent a certified letter to the screening company. (I’m still waiting to hear back.)

There is little guidance available on how to improve your tenant score. At ProPublica, we’re working on a story about this practice. That’s why I’d love to hear your story and see how your tenant scores compare to your credit scores. (Confidentially)

Thanks again to everyone here for the feedback that helped me create this guide and for helping to inform our ongoing investigation.

:mao