Is it a violation of the privacy act to force one to get credit check by a realtor before accepting a contract

Answer 1

No. The privacy act is between Americans and the government. You are talking about an agreement between you and the realtor. The realtor has the option to either accept the contract, or deny it. If the realtor will only sign the contract if you submit a credit check, then he has the freedom to do so. If he will only sign the contract if you do 10 back flips in his office, that's fine. He doesn't have to agree to anything he doesn't want to agree to. Consider the landlord. They'll have any potential tenants submit a credit check as well, and it's only to protect himself(the landlord) from getting ripped off. He needs to make sure his tenants are trustworthy before accepting the contract. It's merely a form of self protection, and in America, we are still allowed to do so.

Now, whether it's right or not, that's a different question.

Answer 2

Contract for buying or renting or to work for them? It is their right to know your credit history if they are going to let you buy or rent a home from them.