I guess we're going to be homeless soon
Me and my fiance are facing a desperate situation. We are hard working parents, we work hard to provide for my two children, but we've just lost our Section 8 benefits due to an overpayment of $2. Now we are being asked to pay $1,788.00 per month in market rent, which is impossible for us. To make matters worse, we received an unexpected electric bill of $1,200 due to a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. We struggling to pay my rent, and we were told that we need to pay both July and August's rent at the same time, plus an additional $400 in legal fees. I'm at a loss for what to do, and we worried about the well-being of our children. We are needing help we have reached out to St Vincent de Paul and they said they don't have enough money to help we have also reached out to another place for financial assistance and we've been waiting to hear back from them for over a month. Now we are facing being evicted we are trying to do everything we can because we have 2 kids. In July when my fiance was trying to pay rent the landlord did not want to accept it until we had August rent as well with is another thing that put us behind. Since we have been living here we have seen 3 mice, ants, a bat in my son's room, bugs keep coming in from outside and we don't know how, mold in the bathroom and the freezer on the refrigerator will stop working sometimes, no air on the summer so we had to buy air conditioners witch is why our electric bill was so high.
It's been a whirlwind since we got that dreaded RentGrow letter. Honestly, before this, I didn't even fully grasp what a 'tenant screening report' truly meant, let alone how much power it holds over our lives when trying to find a home. After our application was declined, citing 'Rental History Does Not Meet Property Requirements' and 'No Credit Experience,' I started digging, and I wanted to share what I've learned so you don't get caught off guard like we did. First, what exactly is a RentGrow screening report? Landlords use services like RentGrow to check out potential tenants. They pull together information on your rental history (past evictions, late payments), credit history (scores, debts), and sometimes even criminal background or employment verification. It's their way of assessing risk – basically, are you likely to pay rent on time and be a good tenant? In our case, the 'Rental History Does Not Meet Property Requirements' was a huge red flag for them, likely because of our current predicament with overdue rent and the Section 8 issue, even though we're fighting for our family. And the 'No Credit Experience' part? That's common for many people, but it can still hinder your application. The good news, which the RentGrow letter pointed out, is that you have rights! If your application is denied because of information in a tenant screening report, the company has to tell you who provided the report (like RentGrow did for us). More importantly, you're entitled to a free copy of your own report. I immediately started looking into how to get mine. It’s crucial to review it carefully for any errors. Imagine if there was wrong information about your past payments or an old eviction that wasn't yours! If you find anything inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to dispute it directly with RentGrow. The letter stated we could 'contact RentGrow directly to initiate a dispute.' This process involves explaining why you believe the information is wrong and providing any evidence you have. They then have a certain amount of time to investigate and correct it if necessary. This step is vital because a corrected report could completely change a future landlord's decision. Beyond disputing errors, what else can you do if your report isn't stellar? Building a positive rental history is key. If you're struggling, try to communicate openly with your landlord. Even if you've had challenges, showing a willingness to resolve issues can sometimes make a difference. For 'No Credit Experience,' starting to build credit with a secured credit card or small loan, paid off diligently, can help over time. Our situation is heartbreaking, especially with our children, and dealing with a declined application on top of everything else feels like an extra blow. But understanding how these reports work, getting your own copy, and knowing how to dispute inaccuracies are powerful tools. I hope sharing our struggle and what we've learned can help someone else navigate the confusing world of tenant screening reports. It’s a tough road, but knowing your rights and how to advocate for yourself is the first step.
