California
Reusable Tenant Screening Report
Stop paying $50+ every time you apply for an apartment — California law AB 2559 gives you options
FCRA-Compliant CRA
100% Secure Data
For Landlords & Renters
Acceptance guarantee:If no landlord accepts your report within 30 days, we refund you in full.
California
Reusable Tenant Screening Report
Stop paying $50+ every time you apply for an apartment — California law AB 2559 gives you options
FCRA- Compliant CRA
100% Secure Data
For Landlords & Renters
Acceptance guarantee:If no landlord accepts your report within 30 days,
Valid for 30 days
Apply to unlimited properties
No more fees
Stop paying $35–$75 every time
No paper forms
Your SSN is safely encrypted
How it works
What is AB 2559 and why does It matter?
California's AB 2559 is a landmark renter protection law that lets tenants buy a single reusable tenant screening report and share it with multiple landlords — without paying a new fee each time.
Here's the problem it solves:
Renters in competitive California markets often apply to 5–20 apartments before landing one
Each application typically costs $50–$69 in screening fees
That's $250–$1,000+ spent before you even get a lease
AB 2559 lets you pay once for a compliant RTSR from a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) like Portable Tenant, then send that same report to every landlord who accepts it
For free
Get my reportFor landlords
What AB 2559 means for you ?
Accepting RTSRs is 100% voluntary
No California landlord is required to accept reusable tenant screening reports.
But those who accept have these advantages:
Wider applicant pool
Renters actively seek out RTSR-friendly listings
Faster processing
No waiting on third-party screening to run; the report is already done
No screening cost to manage
The tenant paid for it; you review it
Portable Tenant is a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA)
You're getting a vetted, legally compliant report, not a screenshot
If you advertise that you accept RTSRs, here's what the law requires
Once you publicly state you accept reusable reports, you must:
Post notice on every online listing and ad
Post notice on your website
Include notice on the actual application form
Post notice at any physical office where applications are picked up or dropped off
And critically
Once a renter hands you a valid RTSR, you lose the right to charge them any screening fee. Charging anyway is illegal and can expose you to a refund demand or legal action.
What Portable Tenant Reports give you
Every RTSR from Portable Tenant delivers the complete picture landlords need to make a confident decision — criminal history, evictions, credit, employment, and address history — packaged from a licensed CRA you can trust.
California RTSR: Real-Life Scenarios (2026)
Situation
Landlord never mentions reusable reports
Landlord advertises
"We accept reusable reports"
Landlord says they accept RTSRs but tries to charge anyway
Can the landlord charge a fee?
Yes
up to ~$68-$69 (2026 cap)
No
if you provide a valid RTSR
Illegal
demand a refund or
pursue legal action
Must they accept your report?
No
Yes - they committed
Yes
Swipe to see the full table →
Important things to know before you apply
Not every landlord opts in.
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this accordion closed (titles only); no body copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
Local rules may be stricter.
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this accordion closed (titles only); no body copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
No price cap on RTSRs.
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this accordion closed (titles only); no body copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
California vs. Colorado.
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this accordion closed (titles only); no body copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
For renters
What you get with California's RTSR law
One report.
Zero repeat fees.
Under AB 2559, when a landlord
agrees to accept your reusable report:
They cannot charge you an application or screening fee — period
You control your own report and share it on your timeline
Portable Tenant automatically shows landlords the most current version of your report — so even if something changes within the 30-day window, there are no surprises
Your report is valid for 30 days from the date it was run
What your RTSR must include (Per AB 2559)
Your report is legally compliant when it includes all five components:
Eviction history
Comprehensive check across all relevant jurisdictions, last 7 years
Employment & income verification
Confirmed income and employer history
Address & rental history
Current address and previous rental record
Credit report
Full consumer credit history
Criminal History
Federal, state & local — all jurisdictions where you've lived, last 7 years
Apply once. Rent anywhere in California.
Get my report
WhyPortable
Tenant?
We built Portable Tenant specifically
for what landlords prefer in tenant
screening across multiple property
types, cities, and states.
✓Secure portal delivery to landlords at no charge
✓One report reusable for 30 days across unlimited applications
✓Accepted by participating landlords and property managers.
✓Simple, fast, mobile friendly - get your report in minutes, share it instantly
Get your California RTSR -
Valid for 30 days
Portable Tenant is a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency. Reports are compliant with California AB 2559 and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Get my reportCalifornia RTSR - FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Portable Tenant RTSR in other states?
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this FAQ closed (questions only); no answer copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
What if my situation changes after I buy the report?
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this FAQ closed (questions only); no answer copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
What if a landlord says they accept RTSRs but then charges me anyway?
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this FAQ closed (questions only); no answer copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
Is a reusable report the same as a background check?
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this FAQ closed (questions only); no answer copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
How is Portable Tenant different from other screening companies?
COPY PENDING — the reference shows this FAQ closed (questions only); no answer copy exists in the export. Needs approved copy before publish.
Questions?
Visit portabletenant.com or chat with us.
