** Tenant Screening & Credit Checks for Landlords **

[Joshua Dorkin]

BiggerPockets Partners with TransUnion to Provide Tenant Screening & Credit Checks

In an effort to serve our members, BiggerPockets now offers tenant screening services in concert with the credit bureau TransUnion, via BiggerPockets.MySmartMove.com.

For only $20, landlords get:
- Credit-based leasing recommendation/security deposit recommendation
- National criminal report (including 50 state sex offender and OFAC/terrorist searches)
- Renter fraud warnings
- Automated renter identity verification

For an additional $5, the landlord may also receive:
- Immediate access to a credit report (a complete report formatted for readability while still keeping the renter's personal data private)
- Viewable credit score
- Renter fraud warnings
- Detailed rental address history

Learn more about SmartMove on our tenant screening page or by visiting the training videos.

Good luck!

[Bienes Raices]

this sounds good Josh. I might be using it soon.

[Bill Gulley]

Josh, That's a fantastic deal! How do you make application to provide the authorization to pull credit? How long will that take? I bet it's a credit card on line thing...that's a great service, another thing that sets BP above other sites! Thanks, Bill

[Eliott G.]

2 things:

Does this include some sort of eviction records check?

If not, what is the best what to attain this information?

thanks

[Joshua Dorkin]

@Bienes - Thanks! I know you'll find it to be a great tool.

@Bill - Thanks! Here's more information that should answer your questions:

There's no lengthy enrollment process. You don't have to provide documentation or wait for approval. Just create an account and consent to the electronic agreements, then conduct your screening on an as-needed basis.

Once you create an account, all you need to get started is your potential tenant's email address.

Simply log on and send the potential tenant an electronic request from the site. Once the applicant securely verifies his or her identity, TransUnion delivers a comprehensive, reliable screening recommendation and results to your BiggerPockets.SmartMove account instantly.

@Eliott - For the standard $20, you will get renter fraud warnings, and for an additional $5 you'll get a detailed rental address history amongst other things.

NOTE: Here are some training videos to help you get a better feel for the product.

[Marc Freislinger]

From looking over it, it doesn't appear there is any way to use this without the tenants having internet access? A lot of the tenants we rent to are very low income, and don't have access (and probably have no idea where the local library is). Am i correct?

[Joshua Dorkin]

That's a great question, Marc, and frankly, I don't know the answer, but will call on Monday to find out how to handle potential tenants who don't have internet.

That said, I've had section 8 tenants and know many others who work with low income tenants, and when needed, these people can access the internet.

Consider this:

Here is some data from the Pew Internet Project:

In a national survey between November 30 and December 27, 2009, we find:

74% of American adults (ages 18 and older) use the internet -- a slight drop from our survey in April 2009, which did not include Spanish interviews. At that time we found that 79% of English-speaking adults use the internet.

60% of American adults use broadband connections at home

Additionally, almost 100% of libraries provide internet access on their computers, according to the American Library Association

Finally, according to Forrester Research, 17% of US adults use a smartphone.

I didn't raise these issues to argue anything -- frankly, I was just curious about internet usage because of your inquiry.

That said, if there isn't an offline option for this product (which admittedly, I didn't see as an issue until now), I suppose all I can do is to see about pointing out how to do it in another manner.

Lets wait and see what we find out before moving in that direction.

[Joshua Dorkin]

Marc -
I've just spoken to my partners and unfortunately, any renters will need to have online access to use this resource so you can do your screening. They actually presented the same options to me as I did to you, as ways to help your tenants:

- Invite potential tenants to your office to fill out the form (on your computers)
- Let them know that they can fill it out at the library.
- Have them see if they have friends/neighbors with online access or a smart phone.

I wish there was a better answer here. I'm sure any tenant who is truly interested in renting from you would be resourceful enough to get online somehow so you can properly screen them.

Good luck,
Josh

[Joshua Dorkin]

Hey folks -
I wanted to let everyone know that we've had a few people sign up and use this great tenant screening product, and the feedback on its usefulness has been all positive.

I encourage all of you who have begun to use it to let everyone know what you think!

Thanks,
Josh

[Account Closed]

Josh, That is a great deal. Does the report also include evictions or other rental history information?

I will be checking the service out when I do my next tenant screening.

[Marc Freislinger]

Charles,

I tested this service out with one of my employees. We will be using it from on with our rentals. It gives an opinion on whether or not you should rent to the person, and a fairly detailed report of their credit and public records.

My report did miss some public records, including a criminal record, but I'd imagine that each local handles these things differently, so it can't be perfect.

We let the tenants pay directly, so it's $25 for them, nothing for us. If they don't have a credit card, we'll pay for the service, but it becomes $30 so we get a $5 service fee.

Thanks for setting this up Josh, I look forward to using it with actual applicants. It looks to be a great tool.

[Joshua Dorkin]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Marc! I hope others that are now using it will also share their experiences here.

[Justin Case]

I used this service on Saturday as my original service now needs you to have a biz lic. and documentation to do credit checks.

Results were quick and new tenants said it was easy and they liked they could pay for it directly and it was only $25.
They used it from their Iphones.

My only recommendation is having an option where you can download the credit results in a PDF file.

[Joshua Dorkin]

Originally posted by Jet_Speed:
I used this service on Saturday as my original service now needs you to have a biz lic. and documentation to do credit checks.

Results were quick and new tenants said it was easy and they liked they could pay for it directly and it was only $25.
They used it from their Iphones.


My only recommendation is having an option where you can download the credit results in a PDF file.

That's great, Justin! I'm glad you're happy with the service and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with everyone. Please keep spreading the word!

- Josh

[Justin S.]

I used it a few months ago. It works great. Simple and easy. I have recommended it others that have asked who I use.

[Julia J]

Hi,

Do the potential tenants see your information, name and everything else?

Thanks

[Justin Case]

You fill out the information (name and address of prop) you want them to see.

[Julia J]

Thanks!

They ask you your name and address when you set up your account besides the property's name. And I was wondering if they have access to this information too.

[Chakra NJ]

Friends:

What if the tenant screening recommends "Accept" but, you want to reject based on your "gut check" after meeting the potential tenant? Once the recommendation is accept, are you legally bound to accept them? I am a bit nervous using this.

Also, will the tenant knows the recommendation?

thanks,

[Joshua Dorkin]

Chakra - This recommendation is merely telling you that this tenant meets the checks from our system. You have NO legal requirement to accept the tenant, whatsoever.

Here's a FAQ that you may find useful.

[Chakra NJ]

Josh / Friends who used this report:

Thanks. One thing I was not clear (I went over the video). I was not sure on one thing. Is "Renter Fraud" alert same as eviction report? i.e., is there way to know if there are any evictions in the history?

thanks,

[Joe M.]

I just used this for the first time yesterday. The process went very smooth and the prospective tenant seemed satisfied with the process.

From my perspective I loved it. I have peace of mind that I'm not renting out to the wrong person. I set it up so the applicant pays the fee so I'm not out any of my own money. Setting up an account is quick and easy.

I'll be using this with all my applicants now.

[Justin Case]

Used this again for 3 new tenants. Very smooth and quick. Potential tenants feel more comfortable paying directly themselves.

[Taylor C]

We've generally found prospective applicants to be weary of this online approach. Seems like it is too slick for them if you know what I mean.

How else are others doing these checks in a more traditional way?

[Joshua Dorkin]

Taylor -
Please start a new thread if you're looking to start a discussion of alternative approaches. Thanks.

[Taylor C]

Josh - oops, you're right. Thanks.