Who Really Runs Your Tenant Screening? The Truth About RealPage, On-Site, and LeasingDesk

Renters consenting to a RealPage background check
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You may think your background check came from On-Site or LeasingDesk — but it’s all RealPage.

When you apply for an apartment, the landlord might tell you your screening is through On-Site or LeasingDesk. But what most renters don’t realize is that both companies are owned and operated by RealPage.

RealPage is one of the largest tenant screening providers in the country, powering millions of rental decisions every year. Its reports combine credit data, criminal records, eviction histories, and proprietary “risk scores” such as ResidentScore to determine who gets approved.

RealPage’s Web of Tenant Screening Brands

Here’s how the structure looks behind the scenes:

  • RealPage
    • On-Site (RealPage Brand) – rental applications, background checks, and leasing tools for landlords
    • LeasingDesk (RealPage Brand) – tenant screening and risk scoring service
    • ResidentScore / Risk Scoring Models – predictive algorithms built by RealPage to assess tenant “risk”

Even if your report doesn’t say “RealPage,” it’s likely generated by one of its products.

Why This Matters for Renters

If a RealPage report, under any of its brand names, includes inaccurate information, it can lead to:

  • Housing denials or lost rental opportunities
  • Application fees you can’t recover
  • Reputation damage or “high risk” labeling in RealPage’s database

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), all of these brands have the same legal obligation to ensure maximum possible accuracy in your background check.
If they fail, you can dispute the errors, and you may be entitled to compensation.

Common Background Check Errors

  • Incorrect criminal record or mismatched identity
  • Expunged or outdated convictions still showing
  • Duplicate eviction entries or wrong judgments
  • Old credit information that should be deleted
  • Name or Social Security number mix-ups

Our attorneys regularly help tenants dispute and sue RealPage and its subsidiaries for these kinds of mistakes.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Because On-Site and LeasingDesk are RealPage companies, any errors that originate in those systems still fall under RealPage’s legal responsibility.
You don’t have to figure out which brand made the mistake — your rights under the FCRA cover all of them.

How to Protect Yourself

  1. Request a copy of your background check from RealPage or the brand listed on your denial letter.
  2. Review it carefully for errors.
  3. File a dispute directly with RealPage (or through the brand listed).
  4. If they fail to correct the issue, contact a consumer protection attorney.

How Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C. Can Help

Our firm has been holding background check companies accountable for more than 27 years. We’ve filed hundreds of lawsuits against companies like RealPage, Checkr, and Sterling when their inaccurate reports cost people jobs or housing.
If you were denied housing or lost money because of a RealPage, On-Site, or LeasingDesk background check, we can help.
Call (877) 735-8600 or fill out the free case review form today.