What we verified in “What documents to share with lenders and landlords, and when”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. The CFPB explains that the Loan Estimate is a three-page form you receive after applying for a mortgage; that the lender must provide it within three business days of receiving your application; that all lenders are required to use the same standard form, which makes it easier to compare loans; that when you receive it the lender has not yet approved or denied your application; and that if you decide to move forward, the lender will ask you for additional financial information.

   Sources 1 · What is a Loan Estimate? (page last modified Aug. 14, 2024): 'A Loan Estimate is a three-page form that you receive after applying for a mortgage'; 'The lender must provide you a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application'; 'All lenders are required to use the same standard Loan Estimate form'; 'This makes it easier for you to compare mortgage loans'; 'When you receive a Loan Estimate, the lender has not yet approved or denied your loan application'; 'If you decide to move forward, the lender will ask you for additional financial information' · Checked October 29, 2026

2. The CFPB explains that lenders are legally required to give you a Loan Estimate once you have provided six pieces of information: your name, your income, your Social Security number (so the lender can pull a credit report), the property address, an estimate of the value of the property and the desired loan amount; that they cannot require additional information, for example a home purchase agreement or documents verifying your income; that it is often a good idea to share more information if you have it; and that each lender must send the Loan Estimate within three business days.

   Sources 2 · What information do I have to provide a lender in order to receive a Loan Estimate? (page last modified Apr. 26, 2024): 'Lenders are legally required to provide you with a Loan Estimate once you have provided six pieces of information'; 'your name,'; 'your income,'; 'your Social Security number (so the lender can pull a credit report),'; 'the property address,'; 'an estimate of the value of the property, and'; 'the desired loan amount.'; 'Lenders cannot require you to provide additional information. For example, you do not have to provide a home purchase agreement or documents verifying your income in order to get a Loan Estimate'; 'it's often a good idea to share more information if you have it'; 'each lender is required to send you a Loan Estimate within three business days' · Checked October 29, 2026

3. The CFPB explains that a lender or mortgage broker cannot require you to provide any documents as a condition for giving you a Loan Estimate; that once you notify the lender you want to proceed, it may require additional information and documents to verify what you already submitted; that if those documents show different information you may receive a revised Loan Estimate; and that you can continue to comparison shop throughout the process.

   Sources 3 · Can a lender make me provide documents like my W-2 or pay stub in order to give me a Loan Estimate? (page last modified Apr. 29, 2024): 'A lender or mortgage broker cannot require you to provide any documents as a condition for giving you a Loan Estimate'; 'Once you've notified the lender that you would like to proceed with an application, the lender may require you to provide additional information and documents to verify the information you have already submitted'; 'If your verification documents show different information than what you already provided, you may receive a revised Loan Estimate'; 'You can continue to comparison shop throughout this process' · Checked October 29, 2026

4. The CFPB explains that you do not need a signed purchase contract to apply for a mortgage and receive a Loan Estimate.

   Sources 4 · My loan officer says that I can't apply for a mortgage loan and receive a Loan Estimate until I can provide a copy of a signed purchase contract, is that correct? (page last modified Apr. 29, 2024): 'You do not need to have a signed purchase contract in order to apply for a mortgage loan and receive a Loan Estimate' · Checked October 29, 2026

5. Under Regulation Z (12 CFR §1026.2), for loans covered by the Loan Estimate rule, an application consists of the submission of the consumer's name, income, Social Security number to obtain a credit report, the property address, an estimate of the value of the property and the mortgage loan amount sought.

   Sources 7 · 12 CFR §1026.2(a)(3)(ii): 'an application consists of the submission of the consumer's name, the consumer's income, the consumer's social security number to obtain a credit report, the property address, an estimate of the value of the property, and the mortgage loan amount sought' · Checked October 29, 2026

6. Under Regulation Z (12 CFR §1026.19), the creditor must deliver or mail the Loan Estimate not later than the third business day after receiving the application; neither the creditor nor any other person may impose a fee in connection with your application before you receive the Loan Estimate, except a bona fide and reasonable fee for obtaining your credit report; they may not require documents verifying your application information before providing the Loan Estimate; and a written estimate of terms or costs given before the official Loan Estimate must state at the top, in at least 12-point font: 'Your actual rate, payment, and costs could be higher. Get an official Loan Estimate before choosing a loan.'

   Sources 8 · 12 CFR §1026.19(e)(1)(iii)(A) ('not later than the third business day after the creditor receives the consumer's application'), (e)(2)(i)(A) ('neither a creditor nor any other person may impose a fee on a consumer in connection with the consumer's application for a mortgage transaction'), (e)(2)(i)(B) ('may impose a bona fide and reasonable fee for obtaining the consumer's credit report'), (e)(2)(ii) ('Your actual rate, payment, and costs could be higher. Get an official Loan Estimate before choosing a loan.') and (e)(2)(iii) ('shall not require a consumer to submit documents verifying information related to the consumer's application before providing the disclosures') · Checked October 29, 2026

7. The CFPB explains that if you want to proceed with a mortgage application you must notify your lender of your intent to proceed; that the lender is only required to honor the terms of the Loan Estimate for 10 business days; that if you wait more than 10 business days to tell the lender, it can revise the terms and estimated costs and provide a revised Loan Estimate; that it cannot assume silence means you intend to proceed; that it is a good idea to request Loan Estimates from three or more lenders and compare them; that once you notify the lender, you typically then need to pay an application or appraisal fee and provide full supporting documentation of your income, assets and other financial information; and that if you delay providing documentation, your lender may need to delay your closing and your rate lock could expire.

   Sources 5 · My loan officer said that I need to express my —Intent to Proceed—... What does that mean? (page last modified Feb. 12, 2024): 'you must notify your lender of your intent to proceed by telling the lender you want to move forward with the application for that loan'; 'The lender is only required to honor the terms of the Estimate for 10 business days'; 'If you wait more than 10 business days after you receive a Loan Estimate to tell the lender you intend to proceed, the lender can revise the terms and estimated costs and provide you with a revised Loan Estimate'; 'The lender cannot assume that silence means you intend to proceed'; 'request Loan Estimates from three or more lenders and compare them'; 'you typically then need to pay an application or appraisal fee and provide full supporting documentation of your income, assets, and other financial information'; 'If you delay providing documentation or other items necessary to move your loan application forward, your lender may need to delay your closing'; 'your rate lock could expire' · Checked October 29, 2026

8. The CFPB explains that it is illegal for a lender to intentionally underestimate charges on the Loan Estimate and then surprise you with higher charges; that a lender may increase fees if certain circumstances change, for example if it could not verify your overtime, bonus or other income, or if your credit score changed; and that if you receive a revised Loan Estimate you should ask why and what changed.

   Sources 6 · I received a revised Loan Estimate from my lender showing a higher interest rate and increased closing costs. What does this mean? (page last modified Aug. 14, 2024): 'It is illegal for a lender to intentionally underestimate charges for services on the Loan Estimate, and then surprise you with higher charges'; 'a lender may increase the fees it quoted you on the Loan Estimate if certain circumstances change'; 'Your lender could not verify your overtime, bonus, or other income'; 'your credit score has changed'; 'Can you explain why I received a new Loan Estimate?' · Checked October 29, 2026

9. Fannie Mae's Selling Guide says the lender must verify employment income for all borrowers whose income is used to qualify; that the most recent paystub must be dated no earlier than 30 days before the initial application and include all year-to-date earnings; that W-2 forms must cover the most recent one- or two-year period, depending on the income type, and clearly identify the borrower as the employee; and that alternative documentation may be used, such as an IRS Wage and Income transcript, a written verification of employment or the final year-to-date paystub.

   Sources 9 · Selling Guide B3-3.1-02, Standards for Employment Documentation (published October 07 2026): 'The lender must verify employment income for all borrowers whose income is used to qualify for the loan'; 'The most recent paystub must be dated no earlier than 30 days prior to the initial loan application date and it must include all year-to-date earnings'; 'IRS W-2 forms must cover the most recent one- or two-year period, based on the documentation requirements for the particular income type, and must clearly identify the borrower as the employee'; 'Alternative documentation, such as an IRS Wage and Income (W-2) Transcript, a written Request for Verification of Employment'; 'or the final year-to-date paystub, may be used' · Checked October 29, 2026

10. Fannie Mae's Selling Guide says that, to verify you have funds for closing, the down payment or reserves, the lender may use a verification of deposit requested directly from the bank or copies of your bank statements; that statements must clearly identify the institution and you as the account holder, include at least the last four digits of the account number, the period, all deposits and withdrawals and the ending balance; that for a purchase they must cover the most recent full two-month period (60 days) and for a refinance the most recent full one-month period (30 days); and that if the latest statement is more than 45 days before the application date, the lender should ask for a more recent bank-generated form.

    Sources 10 · Selling Guide B3-4.2-01, Verification of Deposits and Assets (published October 07 2026): 'verify that a borrower has sufficient funds for closing, down payment, and/or financial reserves'; 'The information must be requested directly from the depository institution'; 'clearly identify the borrower as the account holder,'; 'include at least the last four digits of the account number,'; 'include all deposits and withdrawal transactions (for depository accounts),'; 'include the ending account balance.'; 'The statements must cover the most recent full two-month period of account activity (60 days'; 'The statements must cover the most recent full one-month period of account activity (30 days'; 'If the latest bank statement is more than 45 days earlier than the date of the loan application, the lender should ask the borrower to provide a more recent, supplemental, bank-generated form' · Checked October 29, 2026

11. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §1681b), a consumer reporting agency may furnish your report, among other cases, in accordance with your written instructions; to a person it has reason to believe intends to use it in connection with a credit transaction involving you; or to a person with a legitimate business need in connection with a business transaction that you initiated; and no person may use or obtain your report for any purpose unless it is one authorized by that section and the purpose is certified.

    Sources 11 · 15 U.S.C. §1681b(a)(2) ('In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates'), (a)(3)(A) ('intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer'), (a)(3)(F)(i) ('otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information'; 'in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer') and (f) ('A person shall not use or obtain a consumer report for any purpose unless'; 'the consumer report is obtained for a purpose for which the consumer report is authorized to be furnished under this section') · Checked October 29, 2026

12. According to the CFPB, when you apply to rent, many landlords use a tenant screening report to decide whether to rent to you and how much to charge for your security deposit; that report may include credit reports, rental history with eviction actions and lawsuits, employment verification and criminal history, among others; and federal law requires the landlord to tell you if a report was used to deny you housing, give you contact information for the company that made it, and inform you of your right to dispute it and your right to a free copy if you request it within 60 days.

    Sources 12 · What is a tenant screening report? (page last modified Jul. 1, 2021): 'many landlords use a tenant screening report to help decide whether to rent to you and how much to charge for your security deposit'; 'Credit reports'; 'Rental history information including any eviction actions and lawsuits'; 'Employment verification'; 'Criminal history'; 'A landlord is required by federal law to let you know:'; 'If a tenant screening report or credit report was used to deny you housing'; 'Contact information for the company that made the report'; 'Your right to dispute the information in the report and'; 'Your right to a free copy of that report if you make the request within 60 days of when the landlord denies you housing' · Checked October 29, 2026

13. According to the CFPB's list of consumer reporting companies, tenant screening companies give landlords information such as credit history, eviction information, rent payment history, identity verification, income and employment verification and criminal background data; most have no information on you until you apply for rental housing or authorize a landlord to obtain a report; and landlords may request your credit report as a 'hard' inquiry, which could lower your credit scores, something to keep in mind if you submit multiple applications.

    Sources 13 · List of consumer reporting companies (page last modified Oct. 29, 2026), section 'Tenant screening': 'Tenant screening companies provide information such as credit history, eviction information, rent payment history, identity verification, income and employment verification, and criminal background data to landlords'; 'Most tenant screening companies won't have information on you unless you apply for rental housing or otherwise authorize a landlord or property manager to obtain a report from them'; 'landlords may request your credit report as a "hard" inquiry; doing so could lower your credit scores'; 'submit multiple lease applications with different landlords' · Checked October 29, 2026

14. According to the CFPB, a landlord's adverse action notice may be given in writing, orally or electronically, must provide the name, address and phone number of the company that provided the report and explain your right to a free copy if you request it within 60 days and to dispute inaccurate information; adverse action also includes requiring a co-signer or a larger deposit or higher rent than other applicants; the company generally has 30 days to investigate your dispute, in some cases 45; you can ask the landlord what information was a problem; and you can submit a complaint to the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

    Sources 14 · What should I do if my rental application is denied because of a tenant screening report? (page last modified Oct. 30, 2025): 'Be given in writing, orally, or electronically'; 'Provide the name, address, and phone number of the company that provided the report'; 'Explain your right to a free copy of the report, if you request it within 60 days of the adverse action'; 'Explain your right to dispute inaccurate information'; 'Requiring a co-signer on the rental agreement or lease'; 'Requiring a larger deposit or a higher rent payment than other applicants'; 'generally has 30 days to investigate your dispute'; 'in some cases they have 45 days'; 'Ask the landlord what information in the report was a problem'; 'submit a complaint online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372)' · Checked October 29, 2026

15. Under Regulation B (12 CFR §1002.5), except for the limits in that section, a creditor may request any information in connection with a credit transaction; it may not inquire about the race, color, religion, national origin or sex of an applicant, with exceptions such as the information it must request for monitoring purposes on credit secured by your dwelling or information an enforcement agency requires to monitor compliance with the law; for individual unsecured credit it may not ask your marital status unless you live in a community property state or rely on property in such a state to repay, and for other credit it may, using only the terms married, unmarried and separated; it may not ask whether your income comes from alimony or child support without telling you that such income need not be revealed if you do not want it considered; it may not ask about birth control practices or intentions concerning bearing or rearing children, though it may ask the number and ages of your dependents; and it may inquire about your permanent residency and immigration status.

    Sources 15 · 12 CFR §1002.5(a)(1) ('a creditor may request any information in connection with a credit transaction'), (b) ('A creditor shall not inquire about the race, color, religion, national origin, or sex of an applicant or any other person in connection with a credit transaction'), (b)(2) ('a creditor shall request information for monitoring purposes as required by § 1002.13 for credit secured by the applicant's dwelling'; 'to monitor or enforce compliance with the Act, this part, or other Federal or state statutes or regulations'), (d)(1) ('a creditor shall not inquire about the applicant's marital status unless the applicant resides in a community property state or is relying on property located in such a state as a basis for repayment of the credit requested'; 'shall use only the terms married, unmarried, and separated'), (d)(2) ('A creditor shall not inquire whether income stated in an application is derived from alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments unless the creditor discloses to the applicant that such income need not be revealed'), (d)(3) ('A creditor shall not inquire about birth control practices, intentions concerning the bearing or rearing of children, or capability to bear children'; 'A creditor may inquire about the number and ages of an applicant's dependents') and (e) ('A creditor may inquire about the permanent residency and immigration status of an applicant or any other person in connection with a credit transaction') · Checked October 29, 2026

16. Under Regulation B (12 CFR §1002.6), a creditor may consider the applicant's immigration status or status as a permanent resident of the United States, and any additional information necessary to ascertain its rights and remedies regarding repayment.

    Sources 16 · 12 CFR §1002.6(b)(7): 'A creditor may consider the applicant's immigration status or status as a permanent resident of the United States, and any additional information that may be necessary to ascertain the creditor's rights and remedies regarding repayment' · Checked October 29, 2026

17. The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3604) makes it unlawful to refuse to rent or sell a dwelling, refuse to negotiate or otherwise make it unavailable because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin; to publish any notice, statement or advertisement indicating a preference, limitation or discrimination on those grounds or on disability; to represent to any person, on those grounds, that a dwelling is not available when it is; and to discriminate in the sale or rental because of a disability.

    Sources 17 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(a) ('to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin'), (c) ('any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin'), (d) ('that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available') and (f)(1) ('To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a handicap') · Checked October 29, 2026

18. In Washington State, the law (RCW 59.18.257) says that before obtaining any information about a prospective tenant, the landlord must first notify them in writing or by posting what types of information will be accessed for the screening and, if a consumer report is used, the name and address of the consumer reporting agency and the tenant's rights to a free copy in the event of a denial or other adverse action and to dispute its accuracy; that the landlord may charge for the screening report only if it provided that notice; that if it takes an adverse action it must give a written notice stating the reasons; and that a landlord who does not comply may be liable to the prospective tenant for up to one hundred dollars.

    Sources 18 · RCW 59.18.257(1)(a) ('Prior to obtaining any information about a prospective tenant, the prospective landlord shall first notify the prospective tenant in writing, or by posting, of the following:'; 'What types of information will be accessed to conduct the tenant screening;'; 'the name and address of the consumer reporting agency and the prospective tenant's rights to obtain a free copy of the consumer report in the event of a denial or other adverse action, and to dispute the accuracy of information appearing in the consumer report'), (1)(b)(i) ('may charge a prospective tenant for costs incurred in obtaining a tenant screening report only if the prospective landlord provides the information as required'), (1)(c) ('shall provide a written notice of the adverse action to the prospective tenant that states the reasons for the adverse action') and (3) ('may be liable to the prospective tenant for an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars') · Checked October 29, 2026

19. The CFPB explains that if you are a victim of identity theft you should close affected accounts, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and place fraud alerts or security freezes; that you should contact banks and agencies only through official websites and phone numbers, because scammers pretend to be the FTC, the CFPB, other agencies and your bank; that the FTC never threatens you or makes you transfer your money to 'protect it'; that a fraud alert requires creditors to make sure it is you before opening a new account; and that a security freeze, free at the three nationwide credit reporting companies, stops new creditors from accessing your file but does not apply to someone requesting your report for employment, tenant-screening or insurance purposes.

    Sources 19 · What do I do if I am a victim of identity theft? (page last modified Aug. 3, 2026): 'Close any affected accounts'; 'Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov'; 'Contact financial institutions, law enforcement, the DOJ, or FTC directly using official websites and phone numbers'; 'Scammers are pretending to be FTC and lying'; 'the FTC never threatens you, makes you transfer your money to "protect it,"'; 'Scammers have also impersonated the CFPB, other agencies, and law enforcement in the past'; 'Scammers also often pretend to be a financial institution'; 'A fraud alert protects you by requiring creditors to make sure it's you before they open a new account'; 'you can freeze and unfreeze your credit record for free at the three nationwide credit reporting companies'; 'This federal law does not apply to someone who requests your credit report for employment, tenant-screening, or insurance purposes' · Checked October 29, 2026

20. The CFPB warns that scammers send spoofed emails to homebuyers posing as the real estate agent, settlement agent or legal representative with false instructions for wiring closing funds; that you should never follow wiring instructions contained in an email; that you should verify the instructions, including the account name and number, in person or by using the phone number you previously agreed to; that you should not email financial information; and that if you already wired money you should contact your bank immediately and ask for a wire recall.

    Sources 20 · Mortgage Closing Scams: How to protect yourself and your closing funds (blog post of Jun. 3, 2019, now in the CFPB archive; page last modified Jun. 25, 2026): 'scammers send spoofed emails to homebuyers – posing as the real estate agent, settlement agent, legal representative or another trusted individuals – with false instructions for wiring closing funds'; 'Never follow instructions contained in an email'; 'Verify the closing instructions, including the account name and number, with your trusted representatives either in person or by using the phone number you previously agreed to'; 'Do NOT email financial information'; 'Contact your bank or wire-transfer company immediately'; 'Ask for a wire recall' · Checked October 29, 2026

21. According to the IRS, an ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but are not eligible for a Social Security number; it is issued for federal tax purposes only; it does not provide or change immigration status; and it does not serve as identification outside the federal tax system.

    Sources 21 · Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): 'An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes, but you aren't eligible for a Social Security number (SSN)'; 'An ITIN is issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes only'; 'Provide or change immigration status'; 'Serve as identification outside the federal tax system' · Checked October 29, 2026

22. HUD-approved housing counselors give independent advice on buying, renting, defaults and credit, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 22 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 29, 2026