State Specific Question About: MISSOURI (MO)

I'm pretty sure you are not ALLOWED to give it to them?

The short answer is this: You should be asking this of whoever you buy your credit reports from. The fact that you don't know and aren't asking your SOURCE of credit reports is a bit troubling.

The longer answer is this: In most cases, your agreement says that you will NOT give them a copy of the credit report. The Adverse Action letter that you give to them is supposed to inform them of how they get a (free) copy of their credit report -- and provide the contact information to do that for the credit bureau that the report is from. Therefore, they shouldn't need to ask you because it is right there in the AA letter that you just gave them.

That being said, this does vary some by state. You'll need to check your state law. I believe that, in California, if they request it from you, you are to give them a copy. (That's from memory -- I only know my state -- which does not require that.) You'll want to check with yours, of course -- although, again, the source for your credit checks should already have that information for you.

- John...

The service I use provides four options:

Tenant Conditional Offer

Tenant Denial Non-Specific

Tenant Denial with Reasons

Consumer Copy

We are required to send a copy of one of the 3 listed letters. The service does not require us to provide a consumer copy but strongly recommends that it be included when we send the notice.

This service primarily works with mortgage companies and banks and they all include a copy of the report. Some banks only show the actual credit score for each credit reporting agency along with the list of negatives, i.e. too many lates, etc.while others provide a complete copy. Many employers who now require credit reports are also providing consumer copies.

When I first started doing these my attorney advised we include the consumer copy especially if any portion of the application fee covered the cost of the credit report. Which is partially why the banks have always given scores since the applicants are charged whether they proceed or not.

We always send the prospect, accepted or not, a copy of their report.

I can't think of a single reason not to send it to them. The data is available to them why make them wait an average of 2 months to get a copy from each credit service.

NC INVESTOR: The "single reason not to send it to them" is, as stated above, that most credit reporting agency agreements REQUIRE that you NOT send it to them unless required by state law. Again, that was what I explained above.

For example, the service that many people here use from this site explicitly states this in what we all agreed to:

"Member shall receive and maintain all credit data in strict confidence and will not reveal its contents to the consumer unless compelled by law."

THAT is the "single reason not to send it to them."

So, if your state "compels" you to give them a copy, then great! But if it does not, then it would likely be in violation of that agreement.

- John...

(1) If they want a copy of the credit report you received from the credit agency are you required to provide them a copy of it? If not, Why?

They may want a copy, but you are not allowed to provide it and don't do it. Read above.

(2) What requirements are there in the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

You are to protect the information, it is yours, do not share. Read above.

(3) What if you refused to provide them with a copy?

JOHN: sorry missed the part where the state or provider prohibits it.

Experian has a blog on their site stating that a landlord can give the tenant a copy of the credit report. The only reason they don't suggest it is they think it is beyond the consumers ability to understand the report.