- Source
- Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C.)
- Decided
- July 9, 2026
- Bottom line
- Duplicate eviction or criminal entries on a tenant screening report are a recognized accuracy problem you can dispute and, if ignored, pursue.
Background
RentGrow sells tenant screening reports to landlords and property managers. Those reports pull in criminal and eviction records and are used to approve or reject rental applicants. Under the FCRA, a tenant screening company is a consumer reporting agency. It must use reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy (15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b)), disclose a consumer’s file and its sources on request (§ 1681g), and reinvestigate disputes (§ 1681i).
On July 9, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission announced that the Department of Justice, acting on the Commission’s referral, had filed a complaint and proposed stipulated order against RentGrow in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Commission voted 2-0 to refer the case. On August 12, 2026, the Justice Department announced that the court had entered the stipulated order. The government’s claims are allegations, and neither press release states that RentGrow admitted them.
What the government alleged
According to the FTC’s announcement, the complaint alleges four main problems.
Duplicate records. RentGrow allegedly failed to prevent duplicate entries for the same criminal case or eviction proceeding. The effect was to make applicants look as though they had more convictions or evictions than they did.
Incomplete disclosures. When consumers asked for their files, RentGrow allegedly did not disclose all the information and sources used. For example, it did not disclose that LexisNexis Accurint supplied historical addresses and middle names used to match records to applicants.
Ignored disputes. RentGrow allegedly labeled certain disputes “invalid” and took no further action, including disputes about duplicate records and about changes to court records after a report issued.
Misleading dispute results. After a successful dispute that changed or deleted information, RentGrow allegedly told consumers the property manager had been notified, while telling the property manager there was no change. The FTC treated this as a deceptive practice under the FTC Act.
The order imposes a $2.25 million civil penalty. It prohibits failing to maintain reasonable accuracy procedures, including procedures to prevent multiple records for the same criminal or eviction proceeding, and prohibits misrepresenting that RentGrow sends updated reports to landlords after a successful dispute.
Our take
We think this case is notable for what it targets. Duplicate records are a well-documented tenant screening problem. One eviction filed, dismissed, and refiled, or one criminal case appearing from both a county source and a statewide database, can look like a pattern to a landlord. The government’s complaint treats that as an accuracy failure under § 1681e(b), not a harmless technicality.
The allegation that RentGrow told consumers one thing and landlords another is, if true, especially troubling. A tenant who wins a dispute but whose landlord never learns of it has not been helped.
The penalty is modest compared to the size of the screening industry. But the order is a useful benchmark: when a screening company argues its duplicate-record practices are reasonable, consumers can point to a federal order requiring procedures to prevent them. Private FCRA actions remain the main way most tenants get relief.
What it means if your report is wrong
If you are denied an apartment, the landlord must give you an adverse action notice naming the screening company. Request your full file from that company, including its sources. Look for the same case listed twice, sealed or dismissed records, and records that belong to someone else. Dispute each problem in writing, and ask the company to send a corrected report to the landlord. If the company calls your dispute “invalid” without investigating, keep that response. A free case review can assess how this ruling affects your claim, with no fee unless we win.
Sources
Primary
- FTC press release — RentGrow to Pay $2.25 Million to Settle FTC Allegations
- U.S. Department of Justice press release — RentGrow Agrees to $2.25M Civil Penalty and Injunction
Commentary we reviewed
Updated November 1, 2026. "Our take" is the firm's opinion. This page is general information, not legal advice, and later decisions may change the law.