RealPage works behind the scenes for many landlords and property managers, analyzing rental history, credit, and even behavioral data to decide whether you get approved. But while the company markets its technology as smart and efficient, its record is riddled with accuracy problems, legal disputes, and consumer complaints, which can have serious consequences for NYC renters.
How RealPage Works
RealPage operates one of the largest rental payment history databases in the industry, containing over 30 million lease outcome records from more than 20,000 reporting communities. This means that when you apply for an NYC apartment - whether it’s a luxury rental in Manhattan or a no-fee unit in Brooklyn - there’s a good chance your information will be run through their system.
Their AI-driven screening tool analyzes your ability and willingness to pay rent. RealPage claims this reduces the risk of non-payment and even fraud, but for renters, the process can feel like a black box - especially when errors happen.
The Problem: Accuracy and Consumer Complaints
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), tenant screening companies must ensure reports are as accurate as possible. Yet RealPage has faced:
- FTC Penalty: In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission fined RealPage $3 million for failing to ensure accuracy, including mismatching applicants with unrelated criminal records.
- Private Lawsuits: In the same year, the company paid $1.08 million in a federal lawsuit over FCRA violations.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Complaints: RealPage is one of the most complained-about tenant screening companies in the U.S. - and uniquely, it stopped responding to CFPB complaints altogether.
For NYC renters, that means you could be denied a lease because of outdated or incorrect information, with little help from the company to fix it.
Fraud Concerns in the NYC Rental Market
A 2024 survey published by RealPage found that 75% of property managers saw an increase in rental application fraud in the past year, with most discovering it after tenants moved in. While this has pushed landlords to adopt stricter screening, it’s also led to more aggressive data matching - increasing the risk of mistakes for renters who share a name or other identifiers with someone else.
Denied an NYC Apartment? How to Check & Fix Your Tenant Screening Report
If your rental application was denied - especially due to a report from RealPage, LeasingDesk, or another screening company - you have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). And you may have legal options.
No one should fight this battle alone. Disputing errors, gathering documentation, and protecting your housing future can be complex. Consumer Attorneys can help you take the right steps - not just for this apartment, but for future applications, jobs, credit, and beyond.
Many NYC consumer rights attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win.
1. Get Your Report
You’re entitled to a free copy of your tenant screening report if you’ve been denied housing.
✔ Ask the landlord or broker what screening company was used.
✔ Contact that company directly (e.g., RealPage) to request your report.
✔ Consumer Attorneys can assist with this process if you’re unsure where to start.
2. Identify Any Errors
Screening reports often contain:
- Records that don’t belong to you
- Outdated, dismissed, or sealed criminal cases
- Wrong payment history or evictions you never had
- Mixed-up records with someone of a similar name or birthdate
Even a small error can cost you housing - now and in the future.
3. Dispute the Mistakes (the Right Way)
Under the FCRA, you can dispute inaccurate information. But the dispute must:
- Be in writing
- Clearly state each error
- Include supporting evidence (court records, IDs, denials, etc.)
- Consumer Attorneys can help you build a complete and effective dispute file.
Many renters don’t realize they can formally challenge RealPage background check errors under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
4. Watch the Clock
Screening companies must respond to disputes within 30 days (or 45 days in some cases).
Missing this window - or getting ignored - may be a legal violation.
5. Notify the Landlord You’re Disputing
Inform the landlord that the report is wrong and under review.
Some may pause your application or allow a re-review if they know a correction is underway.
6. Consider Legal Action
If your dispute is ignored or errors aren’t fixed, you may be entitled to compensation.
Many FCRA lawyers - including Consumer Attorneys - work on a no-win, no-fee basis.
For Landlords & Brokers Using PropertyClub
If you use RealPage or similar screening tools for your NYC rentals, you should:
- Verify data with additional checks before making decisions.
- Give applicants a clear path to dispute errors.
- Be aware that wrongful denials can lead to legal action against both the screening company and landlords.
RealPage Bottom Line
For NYC renters searching on PropertyClub - whether you’re eyeing a luxury condo in Midtown or a pet-friendly walk-up in Astoria - it’s crucial to know that your application might be affected by companies like RealPage. While screening is designed to protect landlords from risk, it can unfairly block qualified tenants when errors slip through.
If you’ve lost out on your dream apartment because of a background or credit mistake, don’t just walk away. You have legal protections, and a paper trail can be your best defense.
Don’t wait, Tenant screening errors don’t stop at one apartment - they can follow you for years. They can also affect job offers, credit approvals, or insurance rates.
Consumer Attorneys PLLC can help you clean your report and protect your rights - at no upfront cost.