Choosing the right tenant is an important part of managing a rental property. TransUnion SmartMove is an online tenant screening service designed to help landlords and property owners review prospective renters before making a leasing decision.
The platform provides information such as credit reports, criminal background checks, eviction-related records, income insights, identity verification, and its proprietary ResidentScore. Most reports are delivered the same day after the applicant completes identity verification.
What Is SmartMove?
SmartMove is a tenant screening platform from TransUnion that allows property owners to screen prospective renters online. Instead of manually collecting information from multiple sources, landlords can request screening reports through one platform.
SmartMove uses a pay-as-you-go model, meaning there are no monthly memberships or minimum commitments. Property owners can also choose who pays for the screening when permitted.
What Can You Do With SmartMove?
Credit Checks and ResidentScore
SmartMove provides tenant credit reports along with ResidentScore, a rental-focused scoring system designed specifically for evaluating tenant risk. Its credit checks use a soft inquiry, so the screening does not affect the applicant’s credit score.
Criminal and Eviction Checks
Depending on the package selected, landlords can receive criminal background information and eviction-related reports. SmartMove says its screening searches millions of records, although the availability of certain records can vary based on applicable laws.
Income Insights and Identity Checks
Income Insights can estimate job and non-job-related income sources and compare the information with what an applicant reported. SmartMove also offers identity checks to help property owners verify applicant information.
Online Screening Process
The process is completed online. A property owner creates an account, invites an applicant, the applicant verifies their identity and completes the screening, and the available reports are then delivered to the property owner.
SmartMove Pricing
SmartMove currently uses straightforward pay-per-report pricing rather than a monthly subscription.
- SmartCheck Basic: $25 plus applicable tax
- SmartCheck Plus: $40 plus applicable tax
- SmartCheck Premium: $49 plus applicable tax
There are no monthly service charges, setup fees, or membership requirements, and you only pay when a screening transaction is completed.
Is SmartMove Easy to Use?
SmartMove is designed around a simple online workflow. After creating an account, landlords can send a screening invitation to a prospective tenant. The applicant then provides authorization and verifies their identity before the reports are processed.
Most reports are delivered the same day, making the service convenient for landlords who want to review applicants without waiting for a lengthy manual screening process.
Pros and Cons of SmartMove
Pros
- Online tenant screening
- Credit and criminal background reports
- Eviction-related screening
- Income Insights
- ResidentScore
- Identity verification
- Most reports delivered same day
- No monthly subscription
- Property owner can choose who pays where permitted
Cons
- Reports are paid individually
- Pricing can add up when screening many applicants
- Some records may be restricted by federal, state, or local laws
- Mainly designed for landlords and property professionals
Who Is SmartMove Best For?
SmartMove is primarily designed for landlords, property owners, and property managers who need an online way to screen prospective tenants.
It can be especially useful for independent landlords who do not want to manage multiple screening services separately. Renters can also benefit from the process because most reports are delivered directly to the property owner and the credit check does not affect their credit score.
Is SmartMove Worth It?
SmartMove can be a convenient option for landlords who want credit, background, eviction, income, and identity information in one screening process. Its pay-as-you-go model also means you do not need to maintain a monthly subscription when you are not actively screening tenants.
The main consideration is cost per applicant. Landlords screening only occasionally may find the individual-report model convenient, while property managers handling a high volume of applicants may want to compare SmartMove with other screening solutions.
Final Verdict
TransUnion SmartMove provides a straightforward online tenant screening solution with credit checks, criminal and eviction information, income insights, identity checks, and ResidentScore.
Its same-day reporting, online workflow, and pay-as-you-go pricing make it a practical option for landlords who want a centralized tenant screening process. Before using any screening report, landlords should also follow applicable federal, state, and local housing and screening laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SmartMove legitimate?
Yes. SmartMove is a tenant screening service provided by TransUnion for landlords and property owners.
Does SmartMove affect a tenant’s credit score?
No. SmartMove says its tenant credit report uses a soft inquiry, which does not affect the applicant’s credit score.
How much does SmartMove cost?
Current SmartMove screening packages range from $25 to $49 plus applicable tax, depending on the level of screening selected.
How long does SmartMove take?
Most screening reports are delivered the same day after the applicant completes identity verification, although timing can vary by report and circumstances.
Can tenants pay for SmartMove screening?
Yes. Where permitted, the property owner can choose to pay for the screening or pass the cost to the prospective tenant.
