Does Transunion SmartMove replace a rental application?

[Christian Wathne]

Hi BP, hoping to get some help!

I've been reading all about transunion smartmove tenant screening, there's a number of features I like, but I cant figure out if this service actually replaces the typical rental application form, or if I still need applicants to fill out a standard application form then also go through the transunion smart move screening. Can you help me shed some light on this?

[Christopher B.]

I use mysmartmove but also utilize a std application. There's personal information that I want to capture from my tenants and keep on file that transunion doesn't share. I also review the application before submitting it to transunion to make sure they meet the basic qualifications of being approved for my property. This saves time for both of us, prevents me from losing out on a good tenant by having the property tied up with an applicant that won't qualify, and will save the applicant money if they don't qualify. 

[Max T.]

My application first. I call all references. If things are good then I plug their email into smart move.

[Colleen F.]

Application first, then if the paper application and references are good I do smartmove. The only fee to them is smartmove so if the paper doesn't check out they are not out the fee.

[Christian Wathne]

Thank you all, that makes complete sense.

[Sue K.]

Agree, you want all that info.  Plus, it gives you a reason to deny - if they lie on the application, which gets revealed by the credit report.

[Nathan Miller]

As the others have said, you should still be getting your own application so you can collect past landlord references and also verify their information.  Smartmove will be giving you background information, but I do not believe they provide any info about past landlords.  You can do your application in person with pen/paper or there's a number of services that help you accept fully electronic applications these days too.

[JD Martin]

Agree all the way around. Smartmove is the supplement after they pass your basic criteria. You don't want to charge people that you wouldn't rent to anyway. And there's stuff Smartmove doesn't care about, like number of pets or kids. 

[John Kerchner]

Does anyone have a digital application that I can use to send to applicants? New investor just bought a 4 plex with one unit vacant. Thanks