How to Get Your Rent History in NYC Getting your rent history can be an important step for things like applying for a home loan or assessing your assets. In New York City, this can be easier said than done. That’s why we’ve written this guide to help you understand how to get your rent history in NYC.
Understanding Your Rent History
Before getting into the specifics of how to get your rent history in NYC, it’s important to understand what rent history is and why it’s important.
Rent history is simply a record of where you’ve lived and the rent amount you’ve paid. This information is typically maintained by your previous landlords.
Your rent history is important because it helps lenders and prospective landlords assess your credit worthiness and verify your identity. Having accurate and consistent rent history, along with good credit, can make all the difference when it comes to getting a loan or a lease.
Where to Get Your Rent History in NYC
Numerous sources exist for obtaining your rent history in New York City. We’ll break them down by categorization:
Government Sources
• NYC Department of Finance: The NYC Department of Finance maintains a database of rent transactions for up to 10 years back from the present. In order to access this database, you’ll need the name, address and tax ID of your former landlord.
• NYC Department of Housing Preservation: The HPD also maintains a database for rent-stabilized apartments that you can access free of charge.
• NYC Department of Buildings: The NYC Department of Buildings will have records on legal rent stabilized apartments throughout the city.
• NYC Tenant Protection Unit: The TPU oversees the rent regulation in the city, and they have a searchable database of all rent-regulated apartments since 1974.
Private Sources
• MyRentHistory.com: This website specializes in helping people get their rent history. They’ll search through databases maintained by government agencies, as well as those maintained by state and federal governments.
• RentBureau: RentBureau provides a credit-based rental history that incorporates both public records and tenant-reported records. They offer a single nationwide report that covers virtually all 50 states.
• Credit Reporting Agencies: You can also get your rent history from some credit reporting agencies, such as Experian and TransUnion. It’s important to note that this may not always be free.
• Former Landlords: Contacting past landlords can be one of the most reliable and comprehensive ways to get your rent history.
How to Get Your Rent History from Former Landlords
• Gather your old lease agreements and make a list of each landlord you’ve had.
• Write a letter requesting your rent history. Include your full name, current address, and a statement saying that you are requesting your rent history in order to obtain credit or a loan.
• Contact your former landlords using the contact information you have available. This can include emails, phone numbers, and postal addresses.
• Ask each landlord politely to provide your rent history in written form, signed and stamped with their contact information. If you’re having trouble verifying your identity, you may be asked to provide a copy of your driver’s license or other official documents.
• If a landlord doesn’t respond or is unable to provide what you’re looking for, move on to the next in your list.
• Once you have your rent history from all the landlords you’ve had, you can submit it to lenders, landlords, or other agencies.
Getting your rent history in NYC can be a daunting task, but understanding the process and knowing which sources to use can make the process much easier. With this guide, you now know where and how to get your rent history. Good luck!