Portable screening states: where reusable tenant reports exist today

If you’ve heard about portable tenant screening in Colorado, the next question is obvious:

Is this happening anywhere else?

Yes. But not in the same way everywhere.

Several states now allow or regulate reusable tenant screening reports. The difference is how far each state goes in requiring property managers to accept them.

That difference shapes your experience as a renter.

In some states, a report can replace repeated screening fees.In others, it’s optional and depends on the property.In many, the idea exists, but the system isn’t fully there yet.

The current landscape at a glance

Portable or reusable tenant screening exists in:

• Colorado

• California

• Washington

• Illinois

• Maryland

• New York

But these states take very different approaches.

• Some require acceptance.

• Some allow reuse but leave it optional.

• Others focus on limiting fees instead of enabling portability.

Understanding those differences is key to knowing what to expect.

Colorado: Most structured

Colorado is the clearest example of a true portable system.

Under HB23-1099:

• A valid portable tenant screening report must be accepted in most cases

• The report must be within 30 days when shared

• Property managers generally cannot charge another screening fee

There is an exception.If a property only processes one application at a time and refunds fees when no lease is signed, they may not have to accept a report.

Still, compared to every other state, Colorado is the most consistent.

What this means in practice:

• You can create one report and use it across multiple applications

• You’re less likely to pay repeated screening fees

• You can move faster when applying

Important:Acceptance of a report is not the same as approval. Property managers still decide based on their criteria.

In short:Colorado gives renters a real, enforceable path to reuse.

Here’s what to say In Colorado;

Subject

Portable tenant screening report for my application

Body

Hi [property manager name], I’m interested in applying for [property address]. I have a recent portable tenant screening report that was prepared within the last 30 days by a consumer reporting agency. Under Colorado law, renters have the right to provide a portable tenant screening report, and property managers generally cannot charge an application fee or access fee when a valid report is provided.   Can I share my report with you for this application? Thank you, [name]

California: Clearly defined, but fully optional

California formally defines reusable tenant screening reports under AB 2559, but stops short of requiring acceptance.

What the law allows:

• You can provide a reusable tenant screening report

• The report must come from a consumer reporting agency

• It must usually be within 30 days

• If a landlord accepts it, they cannot charge a screening fee

What the law does not require:

• Landlords do not have to accept your report

What this looks like in real life:

• Some landlords accept reusable reports

• Many still use their own screening process

• Some only accept reports from specific platforms

Common workarounds property managers use:

• Requiring their own screening regardless of your report

• Saying the report does not include everything they need

• Running their own checks “to verify” the information

• Avoiding opt-in altogether

What matters in your report:

• It must be recent

• It must include credit, income, rental history, and background

• It must be easy to share and review

In short:The structure exists, but you need to ask each property.

Here’s what to say in California;

Subject

Reusable tenant screening report for my application

Body

Hi [property manager name], I’m interested in applying for [property address]. I have a recent reusable tenant screening report that was prepared by a consumer reporting agency. California Civil Code Section 1950.1 allows reusable tenant screening reports, and if a landlord accepts one, they cannot charge an application screening fee.   Do you accept reusable tenant screening reports for this property? Thank you, [name]

Washington: Optional, but transparent

Washington introduces an important concept: transparency.

Under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act:

• You can provide a “comprehensive reusable tenant screening report.”

• The report must usually be within 30 days

• It must come from a consumer reporting agency

• If accepted, landlords cannot charge a screening fee

• Landlords must state upfront whether they accept these reports

What this changes:

• You don’t have to guess whether a property accepts reports

• You can decide before applying

What it doesn’t change:

• Landlords are still not required to accept them

In practice:

• Some properties opt in

• Others clearly opt out

• Many still run their own process even when accepting reports

What matters in your report:

• Full screening data: credit, eviction, criminal, income, rental history

• Clear formatting and easy access

In short:

Washington improves visibility, but not consistency.

Criteria transparency

What is interesting and helpful to know in Washing is that approval criteria must be made available to you before applying. Under RCW 59.18.257: Landlords must provide written disclosure before screening, including:

• What information they will check

• What criteria may result in denial

• Which screening company is used

• Whether they accept reusable reports

Critically:

They must tell you what could get you denied before they screen you  

And they can only charge a screening fee if they provide this disclosure first  

What this means in practice

• Criteria must be written and available

• You know the rules before applying

• This is true transparency, not just fee regulation

Here’s what to say in Washington;

Subject

Comprehensive reusable tenant screening report

Body

Hi [property manager name], I’m interested in applying for [property address]. I have a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report that was prepared by a consumer reporting agency within the last 30 days. Washington law recognizes comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports, and landlords must state whether they accept them. If accepted, a landlord cannot charge another screening fee.   Do you accept comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports for this property? Thank you, [name]

Illinois: Fee protection, emerging reuse

Illinois introduces reusable reports, but focuses on cost rather than behavior.

Under 765 ILCS 705/30:

• You can provide a reusable tenant screening report

• Reports are typically valid for about 30 days

• If a landlord uses your report, they cannot charge a screening fee

What’s important:

• Landlords are not required to rely on your report.

In practice:

• Many landlords continue using their own screening systems

• Reuse depends on whether the landlord chooses to accept your report

Common reasons for non-acceptance:

• Preference for their own vendor

• Claims that the report is incomplete

• Internal policies or workflows

In short:Illinois helps reduce duplicate fees, but does not guarantee reuse.

Here’s what to say in Illinois;

Subject

Reusable tenant screening report for my application

Body

Hi [property manager name], I’m interested in applying for [property address]. I have a recent reusable tenant screening report that was prepared by a consumer reporting agency. Under Illinois law, if a renter provides a reusable tenant screening report that meets the requirements, the landlord may not charge an application screening fee or a fee to access the report.   Can I use my report for this application? Thank you, [name]

Maryland: Clear rules, still optional

Maryland combines fee protections with disclosure requirements.

Under Maryland Real Property § 8-213.1:

• You can provide a reusable tenant screening report.

• Reports are typically valid for 30 days.

• Landlords must disclose whether they accept them.

• If accepted, they cannot charge a screening fee.

What this means:

• You get clarity before applying

• But acceptance still varies by property

In practice:

• Some landlords opt in

• Others stick with their existing process

What matters in your report:

• Complete and recent data

• Clear structure

• Easy sharing

In short: Clearer rules, but still optional adoption.

Here’s what to say in Maryland;

Subject	Reusable tenant screening report for my application
Body	Hi [property manager name], I’m interested in applying for [property address]. I have a reusable tenant screening report prepared within the last 30 days by a consumer reporting agency. Maryland law recognizes reusable tenant screening reports and requires landlords to notify renters whether they accept them.   Do you accept reusable tenant screening reports for this property? Thank you, [name]

New York: Fee limits, not true portability

New York approaches the problem differently.

Under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019:

• Application and screening fees are capped at $20

• If a landlord already has a recent report, they cannot charge again

• You can provide your own report in some cases

What’s missing:

• There is no requirement to accept reusable reports

In practice:

• Most landlords still run their own screening

• The financial benefit is smaller due to the fee cap

What matters in your report:

• Recency and completeness

• Clarity and ease of review

In short:New York reduces cost, but does not enable portability.

There is a lot of activity in and around renting in New City right now with Mayor Mamdani’s administration running rental ripoff hearings, introducing renter supportive legislation as part of their affordability push. 

Here’s what to say in New York;

Subject

Recent credit or background report for my application

Body

Hi [property manager name], I’m interested in applying for [property address]. I have a recent credit or background report from within the last 30 days. New York law caps application screening charges at the actual cost or $20, whichever is less. If a renter provides a recent credit or background check, the landlord cannot charge another fee for that check.   Can I share my recent report with you for this application? Thank you, [name]

Where else?

States addressing parts of the problem

Some states don’t support reusable reports directly, but reduce friction in other ways.

Massachusetts

• Most application fees are not allowed

• Renters avoid repeat costs by default

Minnesota

• Requires fee transparency and refunds if screening is not used

Oregon

• Uses structured, first-come application processes

Seattle (local policy)

• Requires clear disclosure of screening criteria

In short:These states fix parts of the system without enabling reuse.

The bigger picture: Three models emerging

Across the U.S., portable screening falls into three categories.

Full or near portability

• Colorado

These laws change behavior directly by supporting renters directly. It’s unfortunately rare to see legislation be renter centric like this. 

Fee-focused protection

• California

• Washington

• Illinois

• Maryland

• New York

These laws reduce cost, but don’t guarantee reuse.

Structural reform

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• Oregon

• Local policies like Seattle

These improve the system without enabling portability.

What’s changing

There’s a clear direction across states.

Fee pressure is increasing

• Application fees are under scrutiny

• States are capping, refunding, or limiting duplicate charges

• Voters are influencing change and the anger at unexplained admin fees is growing. See New York City. 

Standardization is growing

• Screening criteria are becoming clearer and in some cases shared publicly. See Washington

• Processes are becoming more consistent

Portability is emerging

• Reusable report definitions are spreading

• Disclosure rules are increasing

• Fee waivers are becoming more common

In short:The system is moving toward reuse, step by step.

What to expect in real life

• Some properties accept reusable reports

• Some require their own screening

• Policies vary by listing

In short: Acceptance is still inconsistent.

What to ask before you apply

• “Do you accept reusable tenant screening reports?”

• “Can I use my existing report instead of paying another fee?”

• “Are there any requirements my report needs to meet?”

In short: Asking upfront can save time and money.

Why some properties accept reusable reports

Some property managers choose to accept them because:

• Applications move faster

• There is less admin work

• Lower friction can increase applications

• The renter experience improves

In short:It can help fill units faster with less effort.

What renters can do to push change

• Ask about reusable reports before applying

• Choose properties that accept them

• Share your experience publicly

• Show up with a report ready

In short:Renter behavior helps shape the system.

The bottom line

Portable screening is already multi-state. It’s just not standardized yet.

Colorado shows what a fully portable system looks like.

Other states are building toward it, piece by piece.

If you’ve ever paid to prove the same thing twice, this shift matters.

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This article is for general information only and isn't legal advice. For specific questions about your situation, consider reviewing official Colorado resources or speaking with a qualified professional.