LOCKED OUT BY A LIE — When a Background Check Error Stands Between Your Family and a Home
In California’s high-stakes housing market the difference between getting the keys to your future and being turned away can come down to one flawed data point
For one family, that data point was a background check error—courtesy of SafeRent—that wrongly labeled them as a risk. Their application was denied. Their dream home? Lost.
At R23 Law, we’ve seen this happen far too often—and we’re here to fight back.
The Hidden Impact of Background Check Mistakes
Companies like SafeRent, CoreLogic, and Asurint provide tenant screening reports to landlords across California. These reports can include criminal history, credit data, eviction records, and even algorithmic “scores” predicting how likely you are to be a “good tenant.”
But what happens when that data is wrong?
For this family, a simple mix-up in public records—a background check error involving someone else with a similar name—was enough to deny them housing. Despite having no criminal record or evictions, their application was automatically rejected by the landlord’s screening system.
No explanation. No second chance. Just a denial, and a devastating blow to their housing security.
This isn’t just unfair—it may be illegal.
What the Law Says: You Have Rights
Both federal and California laws protect renters from inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete tenant screening reports:
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), including companies like SafeRent, take reasonable steps to ensure accuracy.
California’s Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA) goes further, offering broader privacy and reporting protections specific to California residents.
If these laws are violated, consumers may be entitled to statutory damages, actual damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.
At R23 Law, we specialize in holding these companies accountable.
When a Background Check Error Becomes Housing Discrimination
Background check companies aren’t just data vendors—they’re gatekeepers. And when they get it wrong, the consequences ripple through every part of a person’s life.
Denied housing because of inaccurate criminal records or eviction history? That’s not just frustrating—it’s discriminatory, especially when errors disproportionately affect communities of color, survivors of identity theft, or individuals with sealed records.
Under California’s robust consumer protection laws, you do not have to accept a false narrative about who you are. You have the right to dispute errors, and you may be entitled to compensation.
What R23 Law Can Do For You
R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys are experienced in challenging background check errors and fighting violations of both the FCRA and ICRAA.
We help clients:
Obtain and review tenant screening reports for inaccuracies.
File legal disputes with companies like SafeRent, CoreLogic, and Asurint.
Seek financial compensation for housing denials, emotional distress, and more.
Pursue litigation when these companies ignore their legal responsibilities.
Whether you’ve been denied an apartment, lost a housing opportunity, or suffered financial harm from a background check error, you don’t have to face it alone.
Denied for the Wrong Reason? Let R23 Law Set the Record Straight
Being wrongly locked out of housing can feel isolating and hopeless. But California law is on your side—and so are we.
At R23 Law, our California Background Check Violation Lawyers are fierce advocates for justice. We’ve handled hundreds of consumer protection cases and recovered compensation for families just like yours.
📞 Schedule your free consultation today and let us help clear your name—and reclaim your future.
