Free Tenant Screening Authorization
Comprehensive FCRA HUB authorization covering all screening categories in one form: credit, criminal background, eviction, employment, prior residence, references, income. FCRA §1681b(b)(2) disclosure must be provided as a SEPARATE document. State add-ons: CA ICRA, NY GBL §380, WA RCW §19.182, MA ch. 93.
Free Tenant Screening Authorization — overview
⚖ FCRA Hub Authorization
This is the comprehensive HUB form covering all screening categories in one authorization: credit, criminal background, eviction history, employment, prior residence, references, and income. The FCRA §1681b(b)(2) DISCLOSURE must be provided as a SEPARATE document, not bundled here.
State add-ons apply: California ICRA (Civ. Code §1786), New York GBL §380, Washington RCW §19.182, Massachusetts MGL ch. 93 §50-69. Criminal background subject to HUD 2016 individualized assessment + state/local Fair Chance laws. Income subject to source-of-income protections.
A Tenant Screening Authorization is a comprehensive HUB authorization covering all tenant screening categories — credit, criminal background, eviction history, employment, prior residence, references, and income — in a single FCRA-compliant document. The §1681b(b)(2) disclosure must be provided as a SEPARATE document.
Generate the Tenant Screening Authorization
Complete the fields below to generate a comprehensive FCRA-compliant tenant screening authorization. Remember: provide the §1681b(b)(2) disclosure SEPARATELY (not bundled with this authorization).
1. Applicant Information
2. Comprehensive Screening Authorization
⚖ FCRA Comprehensive Authorization
This authorization is the HUB form covering all screening categories. The applicant authorizes the landlord (or screening company acting on landlord’s behalf) to procure consumer reports covering credit, criminal background, eviction history, employment verification, prior residence verification, and reference checks.
Critical FCRA requirement: The §1681b(b)(2) DISCLOSURE must be provided as a SEPARATE document (not bundled into this authorization). The Summary of Consumer Rights (§1681g(c)(1)) must also be provided separately.
3. Required FCRA Acknowledgments
4. Applicant Signature
About the Tenant Screening Authorization
The Tenant Screening Authorization is the comprehensive HUB form for tenant screening — a single FCRA-compliant authorization covering all screening categories (credit, criminal background, eviction history, employment, prior residence, references, income). Used as the master authorization, it eliminates the need for separate authorizations for each screening type while remaining FCRA-compliant. Critical FCRA requirements: (1) The clear and conspicuous WRITTEN DISCLOSURE under §1681b(b)(2) must be provided as a SEPARATE document — not bundled into this authorization. This is the most common FCRA compliance failure. (2) The Summary of Consumer Rights under §1681g(c)(1) — the CFPB-prescribed form — must be provided along with the disclosure. (3) If screening results in denial, the adverse-action notice under §1681m must include written notice, a copy of the report, the source of the report, and the Summary of Consumer Rights. State add-ons impose additional requirements: California ICRA (Civ. Code §1786 + §1786.16) requires separate disclosure for investigative consumer reports + provides for free copy of the report; California Civ. Code §1785.20 covers consumer credit reporting; Washington RCW §19.182 is the state-level FCRA; New York GBL §380 imposes notice + 25-cent maximum fee for report copy; Massachusetts MGL ch. 93 §50-69 imposes similar disclosure. Criminal background screening triggers additional Fair Housing Act + Fair Chance law analysis: HUD 2016 Office of General Counsel Guidance requires individualized assessment (not blanket bans, which likely violate FHA under disparate-impact); NYC Fair Chance Act, NY State Fair Chance for Housing (2024), CA AB 1008, Cook County IL Just Housing, Seattle Fair Chance Housing all impose additional restrictions. Income verification triggers source-of-income protection analysis: NYC HRL §8-107(5)(a), NJ LAD, MA ch. 151B §4, CA Gov. Code §12955, WA RCW §49.60.222, IL Cook County prohibit source-of-income discrimination.
FCRA + State Framework
- FCRA 15 USC §1681b(b)(2) — clear and conspicuous written DISCLOSURE (separate document)
- FCRA §1681b(a)(3)(F)(i) — tenant-screening permissible purpose
- FCRA §1681g(c)(1) — CFPB Summary of Consumer Rights
- FCRA §1681m — adverse-action notice on denial
- FCRA §1681c — reporting limits (10 yr Ch.7 / 7 yr other)
- FCRA §1681a(e) — investigative consumer reports
- CA ICRA Civ. Code §1786 + §1786.16
- NY GBL §380 + WA RCW §19.182 + MA MGL ch. 93 §50-69
- HUD 2016 for criminal records (individualized assessment)
- Fair Chance laws (NYC, NY State, CA, IL Cook County, Seattle)
- Source-of-income protection (NYC, NJ, MA, CA, WA, IL Cook County)
Common Mistakes
- Bundling FCRA disclosure with authorization — most common §1681b(b)(2) violation
- Missing Summary of Consumer Rights (§1681g(c)(1))
- Failing to provide adverse-action notice on denial
- Blanket criminal-record ban — likely FHA violation under HUD 2016
- Refusing Section 8 voucher — illegal in source-of-income jurisdictions
- Storing SSN insecurely — GLBA + state breach-notification laws
Best Practices
- Stand-alone FCRA disclosure (NOT bundled with this authorization)
- CFPB Summary of Consumer Rights provided
- Adverse-action notice on denial (copy of report + source + Summary)
- HUD 2016 individualized assessment for criminal records
- Comply with state/local Fair Chance laws
- Comply with source-of-income protections
- Secure SSN handling (GLBA + state breach laws)
- Retain 7+ years for FCRA statute of limitations
FCRA-compliant tenant screening since 2004
Comprehensive authorization deserves comprehensive screening. Tenant Screening Background Check has been providing FCRA-compliant tenant screening since 2004: credit, criminal background (with HUD 2016 individualized assessment), eviction filings, employment, income verification, and prior residence — all delivered with FCRA-mandated adverse-action notices and state-compliant procedures.
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Published by Tenant Screening Background Check
Established 2004 · 20+ Years · All U.S. States & Territories · Statute-Based · Attorney-Reviewed
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⚖ Legal Disclaimer
This Tenant Screening Authorization template is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. FCRA 15 USC §1681 et seq. governs tenant screening. State and local add-ons may impose additional requirements (CA ICRA, NY GBL §380, WA RCW §19.182, MA ch. 93, HUD 2016, Fair Chance laws, source-of-income protections). For FCRA compliance guidance, visit FTC FCRA resources. Consult a qualified attorney for specific compliance guidance.
